Words for My Cousin

Cousin, your pain is mine

I settled in the back

Until pain gave room to time

I cried your tears

I felt your fears

I screamed at the gunshot

It replayed in my mind

Every trace of hope shot

I saw the gun

Felt your young

15, and I knew

Why your life blew

Into small pieces

Never to be regained

I imagined it all

I saw every blood drop fall

"Better to burn out

Than fade away"

That’s how I stowed away

I know, brother

Though I constantly

Kept the pain smothered

Your pain is mine

I know why you’re gone

Every day I fight

Not to go out

Not to blow out my light

I think of your struggle

I hurt

But fight with might

To honor your life

2018

Image Courtesy of: Photo 79309833 © Michal Bednarek | Dreamstime.com