for one frozen moment ever etched
into her being, Seti paused
it was as if the Earth stood still
and caught her collective breath and
no wind stirred the trees, no bird sang
people all along the walk stopped
all the birds lifted to the sky
the earth heaved day rent asunder
terror chased cold then hot the heels
of frightened people running blind
streets rippling gray waves neath their feet
rubbled surf pounding them into
the gaping maws of asphalt caves
buildings fell into themselves spewed
life and death Seti and Kiri
rose met eye to eye and mind to mind
no longer stood in the park but
in the marble hall of the School
Perle Champion 