her last day — a poem

her last day

she did not know
when she left teacup in sink
mauve lipstick on rim
grabbed fleece jacket
rushed out door

she did not know
when she smelled sunshine
after rain
drove by vineyards
horses, lambs

she did not know
when she greeted friends
put purse in drawer
kicked off pumps
booted up PC

she did not know
when she heard shrieks
she did not know
heard stampeding
did not know
ran to hallway
did not know
saw rifle, aimed
did not know
even then

she did not know
today was
her last day

Laura McHale Holland
March 10, 2018

Photo titled "Inside Glass of Tea" by Ali Almazawi