by Jolie Miller

I was floating in a gentle, lulling sea of crimson,

Rocking lugubriously in white pain, flying above twisted steel

Before the blackness enveloped my eyes

And the bright lights came

Which way, I asked frantically

Not knowing either, fearing both, approaching a reckoning

And the host of gossamer curtains again

Shielded my eyes

The clap of thunder brought me back,

Sterility, antiseptic, gauze, one eye covered

Smashed in, as I probed the wounds

And saw Death in the corner

Smiling wickedly

Pointing an accusing finger

And belching a sepulchral, guttural laugh

As I cried to remember