THIS MOMENT II

The tiles

icy

freeze me in my steps.

I dare not leave the bathtub

but I can't stay inside

where my drafty death is waiting to be caught

if I remain.

Damned if I do

and if I don't? Damn!

Scylla and Charibdes ain't got nothing on this.

This moment

where, fearing consequences,

decisions are avoided

is what history is filled with.

Life, too

though, in a way

this O Henry instant

is also existence's antithesis.