the slowness

a naked man is thrown into a well:
his mouth is covered with duct tape;
both his hands are bound by nylon strings;
both his feet, by motorcycle chains,
covered with cement...

total weight: half a ton...

the fall sends his legs,
torso,
and head to the center stage:
muscles stretch like rubber bands,
refusing to snap;
sinews unwind
as bones hold firm...

a massive wave
from his stomach
pushes its way
to the walls of his head,
trying to spurt out of his eyes...

a faint splash echoes
between the walls of the well...

the water, running cold as ice, caresses his skin...

the bitter taste of his last cigarette is trying to escape his mouth...

his screams are muffled by the tape
and the static hush of the dark water...

he looks above as the rays of white light
dwindle
into one
faint
spot...

now, between the complete darkness
he waits...