Knight in Shining Armor by Tatiana Pahlen

Knight in Shining Armor
By Tatiana Pahlen

I listen to this roar.
What is it?
Loud like three thousand cats run over by a truck.
Frightening sound.
I realize it's me screaming, echoing the rest of the two thousand
and ninety nine hundred voices disappearing under the soil.
Dust in my throat stops me from breathing.
I can't cry for help anymore. Anyone, where are you all?
Help me! I can't breathe. Please, I'm plugged by smoke!
Pull me out of this rubble, somebody, reach out to my plea.
My heart is still beating. No it's not mine — it's the fireman's
who is carrying the stretcher with my remains.
His half charred face is getting closer to my lips preparing
to give mouth to mouth.
Blushing, I'm smiling at him. He doesn't seem to notice.
His mustache is tickling my skin. I'm scratching it and ask
to stop this practice. But he keeps on and
on pumping air to my mouth.
When he stops the wet drops cover my face.
It doesn't feel like rain — the drops are too salty.
Sweat? No it's too hot and streaming intensely.
Tears? Why is he crying? Am I dead? Am I really?