Laughter filled the night

celebration was the topic, he was the objective.

My best friend, my brother, my own

his birthday was coming so we threw a party.

Party, party, party.

With smiles shown for pictures and flashing lights for noticing

no one could see what was coming.

From standing and hugging everyone to the ground

in less than two minutes.  Blood everywhere.

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

Suddenly I was back in fifth grade myself these same questions.

The yells, the cries and shouting soon became quiet in my mind.

I just wanted time to pause, rewind. All I could see was my best friend on the ground, bleeding.

Blood everywhere. Shirt, pants, boots, ground. It was the red sea in the middle of the road.

All from him. Screeeeeech went the car. From that moment we knew.

But why? Why him? Someone so loved and loving.

Red and blue lights soon followed. Away they took him. "To the hospital!" they yelled.

Friends and family gathered in care and raced like they were Spreed Racer in the Grand Prix.

Asleep he looked and asleep he was.

This was August, it's January now.

Months have passed and he is the sleeping boy who is in my dreams and prayers.