I am wading in quicksand
or the speed is set on slow motion
or something else (equally unhealthy for my soul) has captured me
and is methodically binding me down,
numbing me up for the kill.
Despite my groggy efforts,
all my defenses have been rendered useless.
This is a cry for help!

someone else's tragedy
at least it always was before
long-distance tear-filled voices
faceless email reports
sorrow rarely breaking through the bubble of selective interaction
yet here it is
raw, surreal
roomfuls of communities of the grieving & fearful
unashamed of our tears
finally beginning to grasp that it is never only
someone else's tragedy