I saw them too,
the people we told you
only you could see.
I watched them slam you against the walls,
felt your bones snap,
heard you cry for help.
As you crawled up the stairs
toward me,
arms outstretched,
bleeding,
pleading,
I stepped back,
just a boy,
arms frozen at my sides
in love
and fear.
I saw them too,
the dead.
But that’s just between
you and me.