The Boiler House Mezzanine

hollow sounds emanate from the floor
heavy chain dragged across the slab
rotten concrete.
years of salt storage, humidity
moisture clings to bagged crystals
like sweat on an athlete's chin.
the liquified solution
gradually slips out
slides to the cool hard surface.
looking for hairline cracks
working its way into the slab
eating away at the calcified remains of sea creatures
from eons past and the modern day steel bars.
again and again it drips
until the surface spalls and flakes.
now too far gone
it must be scarified
hammered and chipped.
prepped for Sika topping
patched - made good to the eye
but not safe and sound.