Caught in the Open

Once upon a time
I was caught in the open.
Three rounds passed
So close
I felt their heat
Upon my cheek.

Caught in a crossfire

I fell to the ground
Clawing
Willing myself to dig
A refuge
A place of safety.

The man in front of me was

Hit
And fell silently
To the soil.

The man behind me

Ran

Bullets tracing his path.

And then it was over.

Suddenly over.

But to this day

When I find myself
Caught in the open
I look for a place to fall
Wondering if the soil
Is soft enough to yield
To my desperate
Clawing fingers.