HIGH ALERT

I know it’s close.

I feel it.

Deep in the nooks between my tissue and bone.

My trillions of cells on high alert.

Senses so sharp I can feel the earth cracking beneath me.

Warning me of an impending quake.

My urge is to run.

Run.

Run.

Run.

Until my legs give out and can’t take me any further.

I would crawl then.

Just to keep going.

To keep running.

But there is no place to go.

That’s far enough.

That would protect me from what’s coming.

So I stay.

As near as possible.

Pretending to be brave.

Grateful for a little more time with you.

More handholding.

Kisses on your forehead.

My heart on high alert.

Desperate to take in everything.

Every last moment.

Second.