Time’s Up
Walking down the stairs, arms up for balance
A song in my head, a smile on my face
Turning corners with practiced grace
Nearing the second-floor landing,
I hear a ruckus
Could you describe the ruckus, sir?
Internal laughter plays, with a touch of curiosity
Three people near the elevator, talking
A young child refusing to relinquish a kiss
A mother is insisting, kiss the man on the cheek.
An old man coaxing the child for unearned affection
Pause
The old man looks my way with a hint of surprise
Quickly covered with hate
You don’t belong here, his evil eyes say
Caught you, old man
Old hollow man
Pinging so hard on my KKK-dar
Staring me down in search of my fear
Smiling, I shake my head
Caught you, old man
Old hollow man
Stealing freedom from a young child
Her mother, your accomplice
The child said no
I heard
The hollow old man with one foot in the grave
Taking innocence while stinking of hate
Soon, time is going to eat you up
Shit you out as dust
Nothing to me, hollow old man
I only share energy with the child you robbed
I visualize a protective aura of light
Surrounding her to restore her stolen power
Erasing the stink of the hollow old man
Just as I reach the ground floor
What? No mail today?
Oh, that’s right
The time came for another hollow old man
Laughing, I turn around and climb the stairs
