11

I am in the burning block with

   the fire above and the noise and the roar

The phone on the wall is ringing   I don't know

   whose calling.  I wont answer

           Terrific noise shaking

The whole thing rocking

You can see through the smoke the blue of the sky at

                   eye level

I am going to sit upon the floor and wait while

     the world crashes around me

Let's go!  Just two more stories!  I think we

I can't reach the people down below except one way

Are you ready?  Hold my hand.

(They fall like dead birds)

I don't have the heart to hang up on my wife

But I don't have the will to speak to her again

I listen to her breathing.