“She
wasn’t
there when
we passed
the sorrow
and guilt
around so
meal and go hungry the
everyone
shelled. She wasn’t with
rest of the day and
—
could have
us when the radio was
you’ll never have 40
a little, just
shot to shit, leaving us
friends that you’d do
to lessen
vastly
all that and so much
it for the
surrounded, cutoff and
more for. That amount
rest of the
low on ammo. She wasn’t
of trust is impossible
group.”
the face I saw when I woke
outnumbered,
without war, at least
up, deafened, bloodied,
it’s been impossible for
scared
and
confused.
me so far. To make it worse, the
She wasn’t there when 11 of
resentment I hold that life here
us were shot, but kept fighting
continues as normal is just as
anyway. She wasn’t there when
illogical as it is normal.
we passed the sorrow and guilt
So, why didn’t I talk to the
around so everyone could have a
girl staring at me on Powell?
little, just to lessen it for the rest
Why didn’t I chat up Chrystal
of the group.
at that party? Why didn’t I buy
She wasn’t there so she’ll never
a drink for the little black dress
understand
at Montana’s bar? Because she
She’ll
wasn’t there when we were
deep my compassion, loyalty,
61 | NOVUS | ISSUE ONE
never
how
that
understand
feels.
how