Emergency Escape Route

Form a habit

of checking the map

tucked away all around the walls

that shows all the exits and emergency escape routes.

Last time,

I was at a party,

and forgot to check.

When the fire alarm rang,

I watched the fire encroach upon the room,

I showered in spit that sprinkled all over the floor,

I choked on my own idea that flew right over my head,

and I definitely blacked out for I don’t know how long

from absorbing all the toxicity filling up the atmosphere.

I went to the bathroom

and breathed into a wet rag.

Then,

instead of dialing 9-1-1,

I called an Uber home.

It gets a little heated sometimes.