Dodge and Burn

Red vinegar fumes fill the air

as scenes on celluloid, film cases, 

and crumpled, water-stained newspaper 

clutter the floor. 

 

It's a game of light and shadow,

as a card is held high, 

then low in the frame.

Light bends. Edges darken.

 

Gently shaking a wired wand, 

until the light finds its place,

magenta filters cooling

the late, overcast afternoon.

​

In chemical baths, time resurfaces

as moments held

begin to develop and unfold.

 

Cold water 

swirls under the faucet,

floating to the top as

gloves come off.

 

The scene emerges 

and remembers itself.

 

Then,

gone in seconds.

 

The fluorescent lights flicker on.

The room reverts,

no longer a time machine.