Bad Break: A Cold War Poem

Bad Break

agitation

face white

deep breath

hold tight

run down

look round

hope hard

underground

ten seconds

ten years

dull moans

shrieked fears

wild thoughts

no tears

eyes wide

all ears

push shove
hide fast

screen view

whole past

breathe deep
make haste

taste death

bad taste

sky tear

bright light

no air

stomach tight

flame flash
all ash

ed newman ~ 1982
Published in Zenith City Arts, 1986