“Trapped” — digital collage by AleXander Hirka (2021)

Friendly Fire

Coming From Behind and Inside

It hit from behind like a fighter’s fist
— hard — into the middle of his back.
Thud! — the sound of force hitting a body.
His mouth exhaled all breath at once.

From that center
— as if a big rock thrown into calm waters —
waves of pain rippled outward.
Upward into his shoulders, down to…