10
Every person counts aloud.
9
Joyous laughter and continuous cheering
8
A thought of darkness creeps among
the collective consciousness
the crowd's heart pauses
7
The Boston Marathon creeps to mind,
as do other grand gatherings
6
The cheering grows louder
5
Children giggle while adults
clink sparkling glasses
4
Breath is held as the ball
makes its final descent
3
This could be one of those moments
where everyone
remembers where they were
2
Everyone screams, joy shining on their teeth
and fear creeping
behind their eyes
1
Only laughter this time,
only midnight kisses and new found hope.
Only love despite the public
gathering and two hundred million viewers and
the potential for destruction.
Only love because when the dust settles,
when the final glass is emptied, when only streamers line the streets, love is the only thing that will remain.