Things Only Musician Understand

Part Five: JJ

I woke up

lights flashing

bullets zipping passed

people falling

screams of those who were caught

screams of innocent.

I couldn't move

but I couldn't stay still.

I rolled to my side

to find my leg

and my shoulder

and my side

lighting up with pain

and bleeding through my uniform.

I'd been shot

and I don't know why

or where I am

or even who's shooting.

I try looking around

and all I see

are bodies

lying stiff

and motionless

in the dirt

and dust.

I don't see Maggie

and I don't see Rick

a friend that I had made.

I try to stand

but the pain is unbearable.

I think of Eliza

and Raylin

and Justin,

or at least how I remember them.

Eliza

smiling

laughing

working

reading

drawing

kissing

lying on top of me

curled into my arms

writing

holding justin

singing to raylin

cooking

singing

dancing

talking

playing

and it's real

or at least that's how it feels.

I'm standing

when Eliza's face disappears.

I run into the smoke

towards the shooting

and screaming