Buildings collapsing all around me,
my apartment swaying back and forth at weird angles,
and when the earth stops shaking,
we all bear witness to a city in chaos—
no power, natural gas, or phone service,
everything closed, traffic jammed,
emergency crews, sirens, cops
and soldiers everywhere.
Flights are coming and going,
and I have one booked,
but there is no guarantee
that I will escape by Friday.