BEATINGS

SANTOS VARGAS

Shhhh quiet they will hear you
Stifle your sobs
Take a deep breath
Settle your thoughts
Be strong the pain will pass
Courage, remember courage
Now clean your face
Wipe your nose and brush back your hair
Your pants are wet, change them
Fear does that to you
You didn’t die right
Survived another one
Did you see the rage in those eyes?
Must be more vigilant
Stay out of his way
This will happen again
Prepare yourself
There is another tomorrow
My image has spoken to me
Once more I rejoin them

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Santos was born in the Bronx and enjoys writing poetry and short stories. He has been published in the Literary Hatchet, Timepieces vol. 7, Latino Magazine first issue and other anthologies. His first book is called Ten years of feelings.