The Red

The dark liquid pools at her feet,

Blood-stained glass in her palm.

Drip, drip, drip.

The metallic scent hums in the air,

And his pulse quickens.

Drip, drip, drip.

Her body heaves forward,

Falling gradually toward the ground.

Drip, drip, drip.

Time seems to slow as he lunges for her,

Her slick body sliding through his grasp.

Drip, drip, drip.

He falls to his knees,

Cradling her limp body.

He couldn’t control himself,

The raging in his ears,

The red behind his eyes,

Blinding him, until it’s all he can see.

The dripping stops,

All that’s left, her ragged breathing,

His pounding heart.

He pulls her close to his chest,

The red seeping into his clothes, his flesh.

If only he’d gotten there in time.