I may not have been there
At the beginning
But I’ve been watching
The world doesn’t end with a bang
It ends with a whimper
softly in the dark
They climb this spiral staircase
Seeking some kind of heaven
And that’s how it began
With a single step
a small decision
to head away from where the light comes from
This is how it ends
With rot, tears, wailing
And gnashing of teeth
Like a blanket
lies the Potomac across my dreams
banks red with blood
waters rippling with screams
Washington Miami Charlotte
And all the others
gone
and I was there to watch them go
helpless
But what is this?
Moving about
Mired in rubble
I dare not cry out
For fear of the singing shadows that haunt the dark
A boy
Another drop of blood to be spilled
His shirt is torn
And he’s lost a shoe
I crouch low and crawl towards him
I warned them
When they could have changed
When they could have returned
Descended from their perilous perch
Atop the spiral staircase
But they would not listen
And continued on
Lost
Perhaps the boy can be saved
But I should leave
Third planet from the sun
Perhaps I can save at least one
But what shadows are these
That sing from deep within the dark?
Author notes
This was a bit darker than I had expected, but I like the ending. 
A contest entry
- Best Prewrites! by movedon.
1750 points, ended May 8, 363 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - How will the world end. by happy kitty kat.
520 points, ended September 19, 24 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Respect is asked for, given and understood... :)
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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"Lost
Perhaps the boy can be saved
But I should leave
Third planet from the sun
Perhaps I can save at least one"
loved the ending; free verse worked well here. good message conveyed, it's obvious you gave this poem a lot of thought; good luck in the contest.
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Too long!!!!
but, subtracting 14 spaces makes it 47. 47 is my favorite number and i really liked this poem so im letting it slide, and your a finalist. congrats
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Thanks for the grace on this one. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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that was very captivating. And a very interesting take on the title. good write sir.
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I've gotta say, I love your meter and rythm. It takes true talent to create a poem so free, and yet so contiguous. I've read a few other pieces of yours, and they are all thought provoking, and use fantastic imagery. I've now become a fan.
-John -
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Your compliments are very humbling. I hope I can continue to produce similarly entertaining material. Thank you very much.
-C
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