7pm

It’s 7pm as I walk across London bridge.
I don’t mean to stop, but the reflection of London’s light on the inky black water catches my attention, and I pause—
I look out at the water and the city lining the ebony river.

London is busy tonight
People are hurrying along the bridge, so many places to go in this never stopping city.
I stand at the rail to gaze out at the water and feel as if I am the only person standing stationary in the city
Unnatural in London’s rush tonight
the movement of the waves looks both somber and malevolent
And I wonder what it would be like to be trapped under the surface
Lost in the current
Fully enclosed in the dark
Suffocating
All of London walking above me

And as I stand there staring out at the water from the bridge

I see myself clearly in the water below me.

and I wonder if I’ll make it to the surface.