This Dart

I never see it coming,

the sharp point, feather tail blowing in the wind

I never hear it coming

the swoosh of that tail slicing towards my beating heart

This dart hangs

midair

my shadow, awaiting the exact moment that my eyes land on the family silently struggling to quiet their baby on the airplane

I know this image should be a reminder of how good I have it, but instead my heart is pierced.

eyes glassy.

breath tight.

I turn my attention to the floor, step forward, and push the sharp tendrils of blood back down where it belongs, inside the block of ice.