He was just sleeping

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 14:19 -- alliep

Location

07935
United States
40° 44' 44.7396" N, 74° 26' 48.1236" W

One long night after too many shots,
my friends and I crossed the train tracks.
We were headed back to the apartments
and couldn’t wait to rest.

My friends and I crossed the train tracks.
We didn’t think much of the boy at first.
He probably slipped and fell on his back,
but he’d get up before the 1:05.

We didn’t think much of the boy at first.
Haven’t we all stumbled over those tracks?
The air was frigid and unforgiving
as he laid there without a jacket.

Haven’t we all stumbled over those tracks?
Flirting with danger gave us a high.
I started to wonder where his friends were
and if they realized they left him behind.

Flirting with danger gave us a high.
The train belched its horn.
But he just lay still and parallel to the wooden planks—
he may as well have been sleeping.

The train belched its horn.
But why didn’t he wince or cringe?
I watched helplessly from afar
and hoped he’d wake up.

He didn’t wince or cringe (according to another eyewitness).
The week after too many shots,
I stood before him and hoped he’d wake up—
that he was just sleeping.

Comments

Additional Resources

Get AI Feedback on your poem

Interested in feedback on your poem? Try our AI Feedback tool.
 

 

If You Need Support

If you ever need help or support, we trust CrisisTextline.org for people dealing with depression. Text HOME to 741741