Stranded

I woke up to the words “get lost”
written in blue across the window
in my front room, and all the cars
out in the parking lot we’re burning.

I helped the neighbors
shovel dirt on them
and carry water from
where the hose could not extend.

The stray cats sat on the fence
between the scene and where
the football field connected
to the high school we all lived by.

The kids were at their windows
looking down at us distracted
from their lessons,
some just laughing,
others silent and afraid.

It became clear that none of us
we’re going anywhere
for quite a while
and a man, who lived
just rooms away
fell to his knees and wept
among the wreckage.

Just as this happened
all the husks of metal
and bits of bright paint
left in the flames wake
burst into silver dust
so bright it almost glowed.

It surrounded us
and made the sunset
red and early
while the wind kicked up
and almost made it ring.

Then it all blew away
like a lowly cloud, and
we watched as it
diminished in the distance.

It was a complete impossibility
before us as we all began to realize,
those wheels never took us anywhere
worth going to.