Amir Locke: ‘When A Heart Stops’

The door was locked.

It was always locked.

He laid there, blinds down blocking the world around him

Blocking a tiresome, exhausting world.

They didn’t even knock.

The door flew open, hitting the back wall with a force that surely sent a shiver down his spine

Nine seconds; The world suddenly forcing itself into his house, unannounced

Everything that once was will no longer be

Everything he was no longer is

His future plans, endeavors, successes

Now floating silently like friendly ghosts amidst a reality void of him

Tears cannot wash away the stains the blue coats left

Their error after error after error, taking lives that were not theirs

When the day was done

A society would mourn

When the day was done

A heart had stopped