countdown

slow delivery of death, tip of the match struck
against a boot heel half a world
away from us. slow mechanism
of desire turns over inside,
an old car on a cold morning,
late for work. slow machinery
of anxiety, constant, workmanlike,
never stops grinding my teeth
into smooth stones like the ocean
pounding. slow to wake to the call
of my life, slow to answer your challenge,
slow to respond to the four alarm
blaze. slow death, slow delivery of death
on the airport tarmac, on the concrete
backyard, in the shopping mall,
in the high school cafeteria, death
in the locker room, death in the photo booth,
death in the lockstep formation
of our hearts beating this colossal countdown.