*Laurie Kolp Poetry*

Pushing the Button
by Laurie Kolp

A big rush through the door
and fireworks begin
bickering back and forth
I GET TO PUSH THE BUTTON- push
No, ME- she pushes
ME- he pushes
push, bell
push, bell
ME, ME
yell, bell
oh hell
up, down
then stop
push, bell
ME
NO, ME
door opens
he hops out
door slams shut
mom, baby and girl
stuck in elevator
while four-year-old
stands alone
in downtown lobby
push, push
oh hell
thoughts of homeless misers
no-good nothings
taking her child
enclose the mother’s mind
as feeble attempts
to open the door
fail
no mirrors
just space
closing in
confining
no phone,
no air,
can’t breathe
silence
too loud
time stops
fear motivates
adrenaline flows
strength returns
supermom
pulls the doors open
with all her might
the boy waits
smiling
only seconds
gone by
seemed
like a lifetime