Black and White Sneakers

So it's been a while, but I've decided to post a poem I wrote at about 11 PM at night yesterday related to a school shooting that happened near my school. It has nothing to do with the prompt, but I thought it would be nice if people could give me some feedback on it. It is a bit sensitive, however, to myself and others who have experienced similar things. Stay safe everyone <3

TW: Contains descriptions of a school shooting and blood

Our ears fill with laughter,

Our faces shine with joy.

Our feet run down the hallway

Decorated with our school’s achievements.

My eyes meet yours,

Shining,

Hopeful,

A sense of youthfulness radiating from our stances.

Your hair, 

Sandy, with a sprinkle of gold.

Your eyes,

Bright blue, yet darker than the deepest oceans.

Your shoes,

Black and white, with silver lining.

I take it all in.

You’re running beside me, 

Heart in time with mine.

Little did I know,

That would be the last time my eyes met with yours.

I turn the corner,

And hear gunshots go off.

Gunshots?

How could that be?

Blood splatters behind me,

But I dare not look behind.

I run,

And run,

And run,

For the selfish fear of staying alive

Kept me from looking for you.

Police sirens pierce the air,

And I see someone led away in handcuffs.

I turn back around.

I run,

And run,

And run,

Shouting your name,

Until my throat turns raw.

Then,

I see you.

But it’s not you anymore. 

I see the tops of your black and white sneakers

Sticking out of the black sheet they covered you with.

I see the spot where you once lay,

The spot that’s now covered in your blood.

And then I scream.

With a raw throat,

I scream.

I cry.

I curse.

For you are gone.

And then I question.

Why?

Why?

Why?

One of your shoes fall off,

And I rush to pick it up.

The black and white sneaker,

That you loved so much,

Is covered with your blood.

Just how

My shoes will always be covered with the guilt

Of running away

From you.

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