A Few Minutes Walk

Boots biting broken gravel,

Chewing the pebbles and spitting their dust.

Walking so fast...

Thump thump... thump thump

...I can't go any faster.

.

Breath at its limit: four in and two out,

Yes, there's a count,

Optimization for oxygenation of these tired calves

Too prone to shin-splits and cramps

Can't get one now

Cannot slow down

What is that sound?

...Thump-thump...

B r e a t h e

Just a few minutes more!

.

Shield of bright headphones

They yell,

"Can't hear catcalling, so let me go by"

Of course, they lie

Oh, please believe them and don't even try

Please not tonight!

...Thump-thump...

Was that my heart?

.

Echoes around, the sickening pound of a relentless hound

...Thump-thump, thump-thump...

Too fast, too close, too late

Thump-thump, thump-thump

What did I do?

No bare skin in sight, claim, as they might, I covered it all!

...Thump-thump, thump-thump...

Is it the boots?

They show personality, my only vanity, stupid inanity!

...Thump-thump, thump-thump...

No.

The bag! Sleazy strap, squeezing the sisters.

Messenger bag?

More like "Harbinger bag"!

...Thump-thump, thump-thump...

.

Help?

Eager eyes hiding behind apathetic walls,

One needs a victim to witness a crime.

...Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump...

No, there's no time!

.

Weapon of choice,

Won't be my voice, but flat metal keys,

Grab them and squeeze, knuckles appease, do not release

God help me, please!

...Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump...

Hide the thumb, straighten the wrist, a first time for everything...

...please not for this!

...Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump...

.

Remember this morning, the office, "the talk"?

We changed but one shift,

What is your problem?

It's just a few minutes' walk!