GUNPLAY

by Celo Verari

Loosely tied Adidas with denim draped over, tearing seams on concrete
The pace of a dozen horses burning rubber on every turn
The surprising silence of sirens ring the ears of the unexpected
Several blinks between life-long friends turn to gazes of reality
Civilians turn into deer caught in headlights, as the bulletproof caravan carves its way through the
street
The unknown has arrived, but will it be a blessing or a curse
The fact of the matter is simple, and these young men have only two choices
Confront the fear or Run from the truth
Very difficult decisions for growing boys who just learned how to tie a tie
Walking steadily in a trance while their favorite songs play from the JBL boombox
The bulletproof caravan rapidly approaches them in a haste to have them hold still in front of the
park
Several blinks between life-long friends turn to gazes of reality
Steel toe boots align with the earth, oblivious to what it protects & supports
A voice as strong as iron is heard across the park saying, “Get Down! Let me see your hands!”
A cold shiver is creeping along the backside of these stranded angels, unaware that the same shiver
is being felt twenty feet away
The officer relieves his sinful sensation then continues to grasp his chin before an abrupt radio
response
For a moment, a glimpse of unsettling hope
They all react nervously; four pairs of black hands shoot to the sky
Four shots rang out piercing the ears of all the people in the park
Three angels still bound to Earth
One angel fluttering to the heavens above
-END-

synthesis
pen and ink
Nightshade