This Place
This place is so cold, even under the white waffled blankets
The continuous beeping keeps me company
When it races, so do the people and it feels like a party
Shimmering lights above, disco ball perhaps
My vision blurry maybe one too many
I smile, but they can’t see it, behind these tubes and tape
They touch me, and it’s just the warmth I needed
I relax, the beeping does too
I have time for one more party, I was told yesterday by the tall man in white, who does not speak
So I relished in the rushing voices and the high-pitched squeaking of rubber shoes
“Amy!”
“What? “I respond, but they do not hear me
The tall man is everywhere I turn. Even behind me
How is he doing that?
I can breathe again… I take a deep one
It smells like brandy
No, wait… scotch
I hear the sounds of people laughing and glasses clinking
The smell of stale wood pencils
The sound of chalk sliding across a board
I hear the bell ring. Time to go!
I hear the door swing. Dad’s home
Billy’s feet echo down the stairs
The lasagna smells delicious
Ouch! Mom just pulled out my loose tooth
There’s blood… there’s blood! There’s blood on my body, why is she so happy?
Her bosom… like heaven
The beating sound settles me
This place is so warm. Can I stay forever?
“No,” says the tall man, “follow me”
The hallway is tight and kinda dark, feels familiar
Shrinking with every step, I pop out onto a meadow, so bright, like a hundred suns shining
I look up, knowing I am under
The trampoline calls me silently
I climb, jump, bounce, reach the sky
The bright lights carry me higher
Rising, spinning
Ecstasy, rapture, nirvana
I become this place
This place becomes me.
C.V. Shaw is a novelist and poet from Miami FL. She is a doctor of Oriental Medicine. She has authored the award-winning novel, The Spell. Her works of poetry and short fiction have been published in multiple anthologies. Her short story “Ripped” was adapted into a short film earning seven film festival laurels and recognized at the Madrid Int’l Film Festival. C.V. Shaw is the Vice-President of South Florida Writers Association.
