Joshua West

"Liar"

can you take me

to the bathroom

she said

I'm scared to go alone.

reached her hand paint stained

up to me.

so I hold it.

the world outside is burning.

flames rise for the moments

like ghosts will

standing straight high

and dancing,

silently blowing kisses

to the clouds

terrifying me with the

stars replaced by

ash bricks falling

slowly

crashing delicate

on rooftops

and I walk with her

nervous, stepping fast and

suddenly she fought to keep up

her coughing wet parched

hallways tangled smokey

and thick

and she

coughs again.

Are you all

right? Can I get you

water

while we're out

in between gasps searching the

innocent air

she asked

if god burned

would we die.

I held her hand tighter

took her to the restroom

and got her cold water-

told her

I don't think so

dear.

it won't work that way

at all.

and walked her back

to take her seat

and smell the

ash crushed

softy

on the sidewalk.