Ash falls to the ground, and for the second time today it’s the only thing you care about. The world stands still.

Nothing is holding you together anymore, you’re falling apart, right there, right in the middle of that crossing.  

You forgot where you came from and where you’re going, but it doesn’t matter because you see it all, in front of you: the people, bikes and cars, pairs of legs walking empty, headless torsos. Like some great seer that should have lived many centuries ago you see it all. You see all the secrets of the universe, of the people carrying them like priceless artefacts, even if you’re too tired and depressed to care or try to understand.

Yellow faces, sunken eyes, silent whispers.
That old man just pushed past you

Pink lips, blue smiles and machine hands closing around each other.
Maybe you should say something, but he’s already at the other end of the street

As if part of some grande ensemble, you all step forward when the green man beckons you.
The only thing pushing you forward now is sheer adrenaline.

You weren’t supposed to see them, no one ever does. Who knew you would be paying attention to the empty shells of the shadow people.

You saw them all. Briefcases and backpacks, sneakers and heels

Hurrying around corners, never slowing down or stopping, never looking up from their various vices.

It must be really special, you think to yourself,
This place they’re all going to.
You imagine white walls, tall pillars and marble floors
You imagine neat offices stacked on top of each other in rows of 5, or maybe 7

Everything comes in 5s and 7s;
Except for soulmates.
Soulmates come in 2s
And they only come once