prelude

nestled in a cafe window seat
lulled into a mental haze by ambient humdrum chatter
body numb
passions neutralized
I turn wistfully to gaze outside

shock of shocks!

across the steet busy with traffic
pedestrians strolling casually along rooftops
holding hands
conversing amicably in animated mime
while little children perch like blind doves on ledges
licking icecream cones
giggling
laughing
jostling one another

my eyes dart to the intersection
where buddhist monks
shaved heads
ochre robes
sit cross legged on cold pavement
as comarades douse them with gasoline
setting them ablaze
fiery silhouettes
motionless horror
stench of burning flesh poisoning the air

suddenly
shrieking swarms of birds
all colours
sizes
plummet from the sky
mass loss of confidence in flying
sidewalks
pavement
strewn with blood and feathers

ambulances
fire trucks
police cruisers
sirens blaring
honking horns
racing chaotically through the panic
crashing into each other
angry faces shaking fists
yelling
swearing

my brain about to explode
I swivel in my chair
glance indoors
realizing in an instant I'm completely alone
not a single person in the restaurant
total soundlessness

jerking my head back outside
the same
no cars
trucks
people
totally deserted
eerily silent

I get up slowly
slip on my jacket
exit into the freshness of the void