It was then that everything
paused.
infected needle poised above shot arm vein
ready to inject heron and AIDS
an unclothed baby caught mid-scream
in a splintered wooden cradle
a preteen girl's tear drop suspended in space
blood stream that just started
hasn't reached her hand yet.
Man laying on top of young prostitute
a strong fist is raised above her head
as she attempts to cover her face.
husband and father of three
is exposed in a lusty affair,
door cracking open as fear
lights up his face.
bullets from a car-full of angry boys
hanging in air shooting towards
innocent victims



pauses.
no, it didn't stop.


it just paused.