It starts …

With a woman
Beyond youthful giggles
Accent thick
Old-country rhythm
A life’s experiences
Wisps of gray
Glasses perched

It starts …

With a boy
Bright eyes glimmering
Gloomy bodega
Coins in hand
Jingle, fade
He dances foot to foot
Asks for a Coke
Quick and shy

It starts …

With a car
Old El Camino
Exhaust pipes puffing
Engine rumbling
Like a prowling lion
Open window
Cigarette dangling
Tendrils of smoke

It starts …

With a cloudless sky
Brilliant blue
Blinding
Bright sun
Hot, still air presses

It starts …

With a sniggering man
With a cigarette flicked
With a “Let’s do this”
With a car door slammed

A sprint
A shout

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It ends …

With a shot
Coins bouncing
Bottle falling
Pool of red

It ends …

With a scream
Cloud covering the sun
Brilliant blue darkens
Shadows diffuse
Glimmering eyes dim
Staring

It ends …

With a last snigger
Turning to retching
Engine roaring
Lion pouncing
Through one red light
Another

With an old woman
Glasses askew
Hand over mouth
Whispering
Crossing
Praying

With a siren
Keening, warbling
Breaking the wall of terror

It ends …

Too late

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Mark Paxson is an attorney nearing retirement so he can try writing full-time while visiting the coast, drinking beer, and taking naps.

Show Mark some love via PayPal: mpaxson55(at)gmail(dot)com.