standing under a stone archway
my feet bathe in a puddle of rain
water drips from wringing clothes
runs down bare legs, adding depth
to the pond beneath my toes
the tunnel stretches in front of me
no distant horizon welcoming
as light absorbed by darkness
cold air pulses on my wet skin
a shiver runs down my spine
a glance behind reassuring me
there’s no way back, no return
the life I leave is no longer mine
the rain comes down steadily
washing away all memories
the only choice to step forward
into the tunnel, into uncertainty
of what this dark future holds
blank as my unseeing eyes
bleak as the echo calling me