Christopher Hivner

The Only Way

by Christopher Hivner

I’ll let someone know

about your injuries,

I’ll stop the bleeding

and send help

for the broken bones,

however,

I know of no one

who can fix

the scars I leave behind

and after all,

that was the point.

If I had to suffer,

then everyone must feel

the bugs crawling

through their brain

at three in the morning

when sleep is the only desire.

If I took the beatings,

then so shall the world.

If I dripped blood

on the carpet

extending my punishment,

then I need to

hear your screams.

I want to belong,

to be like everyone else

and this is the only way.

Chosen

by Christopher Hivner

He was chosen

from the rabble,

a face in the crowd

that showed he was ordinary,

a man with a forgettable name

who wouldn’t be missed.

He was selected

for a task

the important people

didn’t want to do,

didn’t have to do,

because there will always

be people like him

that don’t matter.

Removed from our presence,

he stayed on our minds

for a few days

and then life intervened.

Work, family, friends,

problems, desires, fears,

each new day

brought some combination,

and those in charge

never spoke of

the nominee again

nor the task he was

chosen for.

The sun rises,

we gather

to be told the lies

that become our truth

after the weight

on our shoulders

grinds our bones to powder,

and we forget

the redlining we felt

the day before.

Then one day

those in charge

need another chosen one

to fulfill a new task,

and we collectively

stare into the distance

and wonder,

what happened

to the other guy.

Christopher Hivner writes from a small town in Pennsylvania surrounded by books he intends to read if he becomes immortal and the echoes of very loud music. He has recently been published in CC&D and 5-7-5 Haiku Journal. Facebook: Christopher Hivner - Author, Twitter: @Your_screams, Blue Sky: cshivner.bsky.social