~Battle Scars~

The destructive aftermath of random violence in the streets...

He lay there in the ICU bed, everything covered but his head

normally a person would look under the sheets

if they couldn't even see their own feet

but this young man wouldn't even take a peek

I suppose the drugs had him tired and weak, still wouldn't there be some sort of curiosity, but he lay there totally discreet

then out of the sky blue a janitor just happen through, swept right up to his bed and asked a totally stranger, "Whats up playa you ain't dead?"

grab the sheets and before the young man knew it, the janitor stuck his head right damn through it, lean back, tilted, face all twisted and said, "Damn man, I know you gone miss it!"

now the young man had to face reality, permanent battle scars from this insanity, he took a deep breath then exhaled as his emotions begin to swell

slowly lifted the sheets in despair and scream, "what the hell going on here? Yall done stole my most prize possession, somebody up in this B***h better answer my question?

the doctor rushed in the room nurse in toe, yet he decided on a different approach to lighten the blow

as he move forward pen and chart in hand, he leaned over and whispered, "let me holla at you man" the battle you had the other night, I'm sorry son, you didn't win the fight

now we did all that we could to help pull you through, but there are some things even a doctor can't do, but I just want you to know we did our best, but its all up to God now if you past the test

as the young mans eyes begin to swell, the last thing he murmured before his spirit fell, "I'm sorry LORD, please don't send me to hell!"

(©)copyright:KarenRussell