constructing poetry

the end of the line

at half past dawn,
in the company of three thousand
five hundred seventy-two
strangers, I formed a line.

it clumped and milled
and stomped its feet
like a herd of cattle,
spooked. ready to stampede
at the first sign of movement
from the gate
guarding glass doors.

our breath
curled patterns in the air
our noses dripped.
do you know how long it takes
earwax to freeze?
we do.

line time lasts eternities.
I personally witnessed
three marriage proposals,
a divorce, and the birth
of a litter of Chihuahuas
from the purse of a
surprised woman, before
dawn broke,
and in its light
we saw the metal rise.

and we ran inside—a mad dash
three thousand five hundred
seventy-three strangers strong—
our line breaking into
individual spenders.
and I felt its absence
like an empty hand
or a hunger . . .

or a rush of melting earwax,
so wrong.
so terribly wrong.

line count: 38

Prompt ▼

Prompt for: November 23rd, 2018 (fyn)
Subject or Theme: Black Friday
Word(s) to Include: mad, curl, spend, time, guard
Forbidden Word(s): Friday, Black, Shop, present, gift, store, day, sale
Additional Parameters: Minimum 24 lines. Minimal rhyming.
Remember, do not use forbidden words ANYWHERE, including title or the brief description.