you’re  going to think— it happened again

you’re going to think that the shrapnel from your mind has hit one too many people this time  

a few more civilian casualties then usual today

when it happens, you’re going to be in the hallway

no— the field trip

the bathroom?

your friend’s kitchen.

but it doesn’t matter where you watch the city crumble from so long as you understand the extent of the damage

but you do— that’s all you understand

the damage

it’s hard to remember the twinkle of a city skyline after bombs reduce color to smoke

same way it’s hard to know the pretty parts to a whimpering wreck of a body

shhhhhhh..... can’t you breathe softer child? you’re disrupting the movie, the song, the activity

I’m sorry but the rhythm of your worry is a little too loud right now—

don’t you know it’s rude to make your own music? the radios already on

they can hear your fast footsteps, your head hitting the counter top , so they are going to come over

why are you hitting yourself?

why are you scratching lattice fences into your thighs

that’s it- let out the sobs now as the onlooker wraps themselves around you

you are in the shelter now, it doesn’t matter how hard the bombs shake your walls

...you are going to think— it’s happening again

even though you did everything right

because you did everything right?

but even so

even so

even so

you need to understand: it’s going to happen again