Chocolate croissants

Sharing chocolate croissants with a friend,

you count seconds between lightning and thunder,

talk about safety in the coming storm.

Jets from the airbase fly practice runs overhead,

shake trees, grow quivering

concentric circles in your cup of tea.

Your friend tells you he heard in Gaza

fighter jets fly faster than sound and if you hear

them above your head, you are safe.

You leave your half-eaten chocolate croissant

for scavenger pigeons to eat,

and listen to the silence of approaching death.

11-5-23