distance (part twenty-one)

Does anybody know what we're supposed to do in the event of an earthquake anymore?
Because I feel like those rules have changed, since we stopped doing drills in elementary school--
      hiding under our desks,
      ducking our heads,
      covering the vulnerable area where the spine meets the skull.

Do you ever think of me?

Have you met someone else, yet?

It's been so long since the last time my guts were wrenched from my body,
That I think I've quite forgotten the sensation--
      the rush of falling so far,
          feeling so low.

I think I just expect the falling chunks of ceiling to dent my skull, or crack my spine, now,
that I don't bother to hide from the crushing anymore.
A heavy piece of rubble falling on a desk with a child under it
Will still hurt the child.

Duck
and Cover.
Denial.

If I welcome the arsenal of nuclear warheads speeding towards me
with open arms,
Instead of huddling in the corner of some underground bunker,
Don't you think the end would be less painful?

-Dana Winter