Rapid Stillness

There's a subway track rumbling
a train passing on top of a bridge
rattling shaky foundations
like an old Aunt at the dinner table
clutching her orange lipstick stained glass
with claw-like fingers

There's turbulence vibrating interiors
Dropping oxygen masks
that hang like plastic sculptures
ominous white vultures
squawking in circles
hand rests clutched like evening purses in dark parks
held tightly by knuckles drained of color

There's an electric current running
altering everything it touches
changing the places of organs
floating livers pass bleeding hearts
veins bulge filled with movement
puffed like under eye bags
after a night of MSG infused Chinese food
a clue to what is happening behind sealed skin

There's a ship locked in a whirlpool
kicking-up salt and wide-eye Bass
meant to move, but caught in twisted galleys
pianos slide from deck to deck
haunting melodies play out of tune and time
It zigs
It zags

It's car sickness caught inside cagey chests
a nausea that hangs like garlic
after-taste covering pasty tongues
a still motion

It's the frozen car swinging
at the top of the Big Wheel
Stopped but swaying
stretched between here and there


Images courtesy of Gee Willi.