All my dreams
End in ER visits

Watching loved ones
Fall where I’m standing,

Always knowing somehow
This will happen

Despite trying so long
To avoid –

Determined as fate
Still appears,

Pressing tile on face
Before seeing

Just another bad fear
Become living

And tangibly cruel
While they last.

Who is God
When accidents wait

Behind shadows
Lurking through daylight,

Tracing demons
Randomly summoned

Over silhouettes
Having our face –

These shapeless forms
Making passes

At killing each hope
Morning carries

Despite sunlight’s gleam
During moments

Nothing awful can show
Till it does,

Hearing mom hit hard
Upon porcelain

Or dad lay flat
Across floorboards

Kissing ground from age
Inescapable

While their son cries
Lifting them up.

That kitchen just
Echoes old screams

Louder than laughs
Never promised,

But sacredly held
Within memories

Growing fewer
Like prayers truly felt.

• J. Pigno