Why?

I see

blood, dripping on the floor

as a loud silence that could shatter glass

Burns me slowly.

Why am I here? I wonder,

but I walk on.

My eyes and ears sharpen,

aware of every small detail

And that's when I hear it:

a silent scream, a cry for help.

Barely audible,

but somehow clear.

Frozen, I stop

Unable to move

I feel my eyes,

forcing themselves shut

My knees weaken

But I will my body forward.

I follow a trail

of bloody footprints

Leading to a closed door.

Should I open it? I wait

for a second, then give it a tiny push.

It creaks open

When I see her body,

face down, I realize

it's too late.

I turn her over

with ease, but when I see

her face, I recognize

My own crooked lip,

my eyes, once bold

and colorful,

now drooping over.

I now ask myself,

Why?