Anticipation

Feather light, in your chest
Quickening your pulse
and steeping your breath with weight
Excitement and nerves and heat

Anticipation can be enjoyed
The aroma of something simmering
The flavour improving with each drop of time

But another face can chill the heart
And at once harden the gut
While it writhes and eats itself

The stony dread of something coming
Terrible
And everywhere as time creeps
Backward moving slowly
Each moment in turmoil
Racing to the end

Walking up a staircase
While deep in thought
Anticipation of another step
That never comes
And suddenly your leg is so strong
As it slices through nothing to the floor
And your head is light and airy

Walking down a staircase
Thoughts and whatnot
The floor is unseen
One last step is anticipated
But the solid ground thuds into place
Blocking your foot before the leg was ready
Unprepared, brought up short

Anticipation met with a twist of reality
Surprise
Disappointment and confusion
Until you get past it
And walk on