everything in ruins

by Simon Alderwick

I've been working on this poem so long

vines and tree roots have wrapped around my feet. 

Sometimes they squeeze as they crawl up my legs, 

breaking my concentration. I look down; 

grass and weeds are sprouting through the floorboards.

I look up and see the walls are all cracked.

I turn my head, look outside for the first

time in a long time. Tall trees and forest

where the high street used to be. A wild hog

mauls one of my neighbours, and hawks swoop down

on the remains. If I could just finish

another couple of lines, I think, but

the ceiling caves in and I'm blinded by

sunlight. I'm forced to abandon my work.