You know that feeling
When you’re running
And you take that step
That feels like you’re riding
A bar of soap in the cartoons?
You’re going to fall,
And you know you’re going to fall,
But you flail your arms about
Like a performer on a tightrope
To make yourself feel good
Because at least you tried
To stay upright.

And when you fall,
You fall head-first.
The moment before impact
Can be laughed at in hindsight
Because of your spontaneous exclamation.
But then your face meets the pavement,
Splashing the tar canvas with Red paint.
You open your eyes and see
Sparkling dots flying around
Like thousands of deranged fireflies
Behind a transparent Red veil.
You’re drunk on pain,
And find it to be a spectacular performance.
You giggle and clap as the bugs
Prance and twirl in a choreographed dance of chaos.

Men and women run by you,
Concerned,
But the fireflies are dancing
Black and Blue.

But then the unseen people
Behind the stage start to
Dim the lights.
And then the curtain grows
Thicker and opaque.
And then all goes Black.