Nothing Was Quite Right
written by: Lynn White
I thought I would leave the city behind
and go to the beach that day
but it was too cold for bikinis
and in spite of being August
with bright summer light
it was buttoned up winter there.
So I returned to the city.
I thought a coffee would be good,
or maybe warming hot chocolate,
but when I got back nothing was quite right.
the people were silent
and the cafe was topsy turvy,
had tipped over
on to its side.
I couldn’t find a way to get in,
a way to sit down and place my order.
So I walked down the streets.
They too were silent
and I wondered how long
it would be before they became topsy turvy too.
Or perhaps they’ll stay the right way up,
I couldn’t say.
I had no voice.
I tried to cross the bridge,
but it had become the wrong shape
too steep
to walk over
even in my tough boots
and I was disconcerted by my silent steps.
The buildings still looked pretty,
they weren’t quite right either
standing there without a creak
or slam from an open door.
Even later, when I woke up
it was still all wrong,
still wordless,
all voices stilled
and nothing was ever
quite right again.
And nothing
was ever
spoken
again.
NOTE:
Based on the Prompt – Echoes of a Silent City
- Christmas Cheers - December 2, 2025
- Jack - October 26, 2025
- Nothing Was Quite Right - August 17, 2025
