i contemplate
the make up of my shadow
as it follows me down the street
the absence of light
the abundance of darkness
a section peels away - not a section
becomes a family of cockroaches
slinks down the toothless grill of a storm drain
the extremities of my peripheral vision close in
my ears burst
i can hear my shadow moving
it's fast - it evades me
it plays with me as it becomes smaller and darker
i struggle to concentrate
to see the insects massing at my feet
within seconds my toes are devoured
the sound of cracking bone nauseates me
i frantically swat at the creatures
as they gradually move up my body
the last trace of air in my windpipe manifests itself as a wanton groan
as it all fades to black
the absence of light
the abundance of darkness
i reach my final destination
and continue down the street