the demise of civilisation

i didn’t have an umbrella with me that day
but i’ve always loved walking in the
rain.

the pavement was very slippery
and i fell on my hands & knees.

no one stopped.

from my vantage point
on the ground

i watched a man emerge from his terrace
with two white dogs.

i overheard some people passing by:

every morning with those dogs, he said.

like clockwork.