disbelief – The Daily Writing of Jackie Wright

A Single Round

They kept asking me to apologize for the pain that they inflicted,

My back against the floor and my palms still only half infected.

The concrete pushing against my shoulders as I sit on the ground.

“Agreed. Take your shots at me but you each get a single round.”

Their terms of service didn’t understand the notion to simply fire

But I obsess over little things and small people no one admires

So I took their ignorance guns right to my ears, right to my heart.

The empty bullets stuck to my skin and punctured it like a dart.

They begged me to say I’m sorry for shooting myself with sorrow

When I was the one in the corner, still willing to face tomorrow.

The trauma keeps crushing my temples as I sit on the ground.

“Agreed. Shoot your bullets again but you each get a single round.”

-JW

Two-faced wolves in my best friend’s clothing.

I look through my pockets so I could stop choking.

Would a tithing help me make it through this round?

These predators are quiet and their silence makes a sound.

The morning is approaching with its hefty promise –

I run to the west, I rush towards the congress.

Here the sun raises later and betrayal never stings.

The wolves choke on rivals while others plead to kings.

Wire-Eyes zooming in as I fall down on my knees.

He’s been waiting for a chance to politely cease

The suffering this city pours onto tampered hearts,

And I’m his favorite because I never play it smart.

Disheartened I crawl in a corner, sit on the icy floor.

My best friends come rushing through the locked door.

Just two-faced wolves in my best friend’s clothing.

I look through my pockets so I could stop choking.

-JW