in the subway

sleepy, serpentine subway

slithering in the pulsing deep

late train, perhaps the last one

carriages swinging lizardly

like elastic metronomes

one after the other, following suit

when they finally align

a violent explosion flares

at the far end of the train

the ball of fire quickly

engulfs everything

tongues lapping posters off

teeth ripping seats apart

claws slashing clothes

everyone wreathed in fire

muted cries of terror

sheer, primal panic in their eyes

the blaze shockwaves through

incinderate the bodies

yet I remain curious and calm

watching the fast-moving inferno

my last picture of this world

is that of a train exploding

relieved it’s the end of the line

a bit surprised I have to say

but welcoming quietude

ready, my time here done

feeling it in my old bones

like the storm before the storm

the heart beating freely, firmly

in the flash, bang and whimper

of the blast of the furnace

all turns to a film negative

dark-rimmed, pearly glass world

suspended

for a long time

— and then

resumes 

clearly —

as if

nothing 

will ever have

happened

when the illusion dissipates

unsurprised and poised

I remain curious, still 

equanimous, smiling

either are there

waiting