Gun in My Face, Wound in my Heart

Having a gun
Pointed at your face
During an armed robbery
Is a precarious
Situation.

In just that moment
You realize that this
May be your last day
Your last breath
Your last heartbeat.

Time slows down
And you notice everything;

The appearance of the revolver
The red bandanna
Over the perpetrators mouth
His demeanor, height and weight

Observations that will later
Be useful when you are
Interviewed at the police station
During the investigation.

The psychological effects
Are long lasting
And a cloud of insecurity
Follows you
Afterwards.

In my case
An arrest was made
A sentence was passed
And justice was served.

I remember vengefully watching
As he was escorted out
In handcuffs but

The gratification
Was short lived,
As I later came home
To an empty house

That no longer felt safe.