Rochelle Singer

A Moment

The river flows slowly, gently,

Each ripple coaxed by the wind

To follow the one before it.

Leaves and ducks

Take a ride downstream.

 

Distant noises of children,

Of cars passing on the bridge

Disturb nothing, no one.

Only the breeze

Sifts through this moment.

 

Even the chatter of birds

In the park is subdued,

Drunk on a perfect sun.

Puffy white clouds, motionless,

Glow in the so-blue sky.

 

A hands breadth from the river,

You sync your breathing

To its flow.

Anxious thoughts

Waft away in airy reflections.

 

But when a siren shrieks,

Shattering the calm,

Time swoops down.

You glance at your watch

Captured by its call.