Orange Aisle Drop

The message hit, a sudden sting,

'It's over,' just that simple thing.

I stood there, groceries in my hand,

a world gone sideways, unplanned.

Oranges bright, a perfect mound,

then color drained from all around.

My stomach dropped, a dizzying fall,

like a faulty lift inside the mall.

The fluorescent hum, too loud, too near,

a stranger's cart, a rising fear.

I gripped the mesh, the plastic taut,

a silent scream, a battle fought.

The citrus scent, once sharp and clean,

now just a bitter, blurry scene.