The Phantasmic Fantasy


Unlike our tomorrows
Our yesterdays have been special
Projecting our todays worthy of regret

Yesterday…

What started out as mere composition

On the steps of Washington
Something most do well
Scarfs
Coats
A hand in hand
Making an ordinary group picture unique
Smiles
Arms in arms
Shoulder pals
Stoic faces for good measure
All enjoined for camera’s sake
Knowing a picture is designed to last

Then

A drenching mind-storm
A dark night
A flash
Beckoning moments
Drawing downward
Rendering Ignored instincts prophetic
Soaked clothes of the deep
Like bobbing corks orphaned from desperation
Now in swaddling survival gear

Today…

Recall reminds us how little we knew
Inviting the man patiently waiting
As a shadowed silhouette just yesterday
Would become the reality of today

A man now recognized
As something from nowhere
Lurking as the observer-coniver
A back row sneak
A collective shadow
Smirking at his minions beholden to fantasy

We were once indomitable
We were of admirable history wishing to continue

 We could walk on water
Or float like the photograph now drifting by

As we try to hold our heads above water

As the fantasy continues to slowly sink