The night Gracie died

Uncle Jerry did kill shots

Joe shot closet first

I was rooted in the doorway

Like my feet were cursed

Gracie screaming in the hallway

Tore the air in two

I was counting every heartbeat

Like it could save you

I was made to watch

Every second burned into my eyes

Gracie yelled out

Shook the walls

But the room stayed blind

I was made to watch

And the worst part

I survived

Can’t scrub out the stains

Inside my mind

Her sister took one to the cheek

Tilted head

Staged surprise

So it’d look like she was helpless

Never part of the crime

Powder ghosts on winter jackets

Shards of mirror on the floor

Every crack still holds a picture

Of who we were before

I was made to watch

Every second burned into my eyes

Gracie yelled out

Shook the walls

But the room stayed blind

I was made to watch

And the worst part

I survived

Can’t scrub out the stains

Inside my mind