Stopped

Stopped

slammed up against the wall
tortured hands dug into brick
neck wrenched as if wrung
cheekbones touching concrete

no breath
aching power
strength beyond the years
and the wall won't budge

Wall so high
wall so hard
wall so gray
soul so done



step back
two steps
breath returns
movement  possible

edge of blue above
edge of green below
lungs expand
and wall still there

eyes open