A Gunshot

by Khristy L. Knudtson

I focused and realized your face has not looked this beautiful
      since I was a child and since I was your “Muffin.”
I focused and realized your face has not looked this beautiful
      since it was illuminated in the middle of these crosshairs.
The smooth, crescent moon of the trigger
      carressed by my finger.
The weight of the stock pressed against my shoulder
      braced for impact.

i     n    h     a     l    e       
                                                e    x    h     a     l    e

The primer, the propellant, the bullet proper,
      and the picture frame.
An animation, an annihilation, an analgesic,
      a photo-glass precipitation.
An exaltation, an affirmation, and

                                                    a celebration of liberation.

Category: Poetry, SNHU Creative Writing, SNHU online creative writing, SNHU Student