When the escalator drops me at the top, I will be at my life’s lowest point.
The smoothly passing world does not calm my rioting mind.
Ellie is just in front of me. The last time we’ll be physically close.
She leaps off and crashes straight into him.
He is early. Snatching her hand, he thrusts the envelope at me and silently marches her away.
Ellie looks back. Her eyes are reflecting confusion and fear.
‘Sorry,’ I mouth.
I watch her dissolve into the crowd, before I start my journey down.
Physics is wrong.
It was easier coming up.
(First round winner, NYC Competition, 2021).
