The Price of Speed
by thirdshiftlina
· 16/02/2026
Published 16/02/2026 12:09
The elevator is out of order,
a yellow tape across the gate.
I took the stairs three at a time
because the 6:15 won't wait.
My lungs are paper bags
filling with crushed glass.
Then the copper comes—
a hot, metallic wash
against the back of my teeth.
It tastes like a penny
melted on the tongue.
The body’s way of saying
you aren’t that young.