The Soloist

Candles burn wet
lights flicker,
she breathes in
blindness,
the many colours
and textures
of black.

Stifled,
her mind races,
trapped with the
stench of boozy breath,
smoke stained fingers
oily skin slithering
sweat and spittle.
Black cloth
pleats and falls,
creaking doors
shuffling feet.
Heart pounding
she waits
suffocating
in the shadows
that envelop her.

Tiny limbs grapple
smooth banisters,
slide polished halls
heave heavy doorknobs
gasping for air.

In a hidden corner
she vomits.
Her body shudders,
heartbeat thunders her head,
legs cave under.
Shivering uncontrollably
she sits
with her vomit,
bony knees to chin
licking salt tears
of relief.

11/8/2011
MMC ©