Time quickens, then slows 

Over and over it goes

A shutter flashes and I’m standing on a shore

There’s no wind, no breezy blow

Not a ripple to be seen on the silent sea 

The stillness feels stifling 

Yet the monochromatic clouds seem hurried 

as they fly across the sky. 

Reminiscent of a dream 

Another flicker and I’m sitting under tree

High upon a hill; there’s a town below in this scene

Lights are on, songs are being sung

Yet I remain rooted. Everything muted. 

I blink. Now, I’m lying in a bed. 

There’s no panic, no dread. 

The walls are bare but for a lone unoccupied chair. 

I close my eyes one final time

I’m standing upon another shore 

Now the waves ebb and flow 

The clouds overhead have slowed

I carry onward.  

Stopping briefly, I turn and see countless footsteps behind me