It had never been so bright, Blinded, beaten, bruised. Look left right and left again, The platitude unused. The gravel on my fingers, Blood drying on my cheeks. Faces blur above me, As I attempt to speak. The heat begins to rise, It takes my breath away. I sink into the Earth, Ceasing the display. A Summer day in June, The neighborhood’s alive. I want to play and run and jump, But forever, here I lie.