Anomie (Poem)

This is what happened.

I went to cross the street.

I took one step off the curb.

I was in a different country.

I did not know the people.

I could not understand them.

I read their kindness in their eyes.

I hope they saw the same in mine.

I wandered lost on empty streets.

I listened to hear familiar birdsong.

No avail, no avail.

I turned to see a passing train.

I crossed the tracks.

I stumbled on the uneven road.

I was once again on familiar ground.

Nothing had changed.

Except me.

I am a stranger now.

Unseen, unheard.

My footprints disappear in the grass.