Noon
She stood on the corner of Elm and Oak
There hadn't been and trees on these streets for a long time
She saw all of the traffic shimmering on the road
She felt the heat of the sidewalk coming up through her shoes
And licking at her calves
Her shadow was nothing but a dark dot below her
She knew it was noon
Everyone in the crowds had a dark dot below them
People looked drained and damp
There was not a crisp suit in the crowd
The cars and trucks smelled of stagnant emissions that hung in the air
Like so many dead dinosaurs reeking of death
She thought about what the doctor said
He had a tumor and it was advanced
A wave of guilt washed over her as if she were a discarded shell on the beach
The crossing light turned green, as she just stood there
Buffeted by the others crossing
She waited another cycle
Maybe she should have stayed with him
Maybe she could have helped him longer
Maybe ...
The sun beat down on the city
She crossed the street and walked on her way
Her head bent down not making any eye contact
With others not making eye contact without shadows
She needed to get back to work
She needed