Shock by Bogdan Dragos

the three of them stood by the

banks and watched

the water turn

red

So it’s not like in the movies. When

you see someone dying

you don’t burst into

uncontrollable fits of screaming

You stand very still

and watch

and can’t speak

can’t blink

can’t turn away

can’t run

can’t do anything really

Shock is not something that makes

you jump

It’s a cement that stuns you

there was still more and

more blood seeping

from the body impaled in

the jagged rocks. The river

turned red on all directions around it

Death was a scary thing

but not having a stepfather

who sent you to beg in the streets so he

can drink the profits

made up for it

When there was no more

blood to be

carried away by the water

they smiled

All three at once

-BOGDAN DRAGOS

Bogdan Dragos supervises casinos for…