and I expected my heart to stop when I see him

but it just beats faster.

he's laying in a
hospital bed across from a
girl who looks like
she broke her jaw.
I run to him and
grab his hand.
he's sleeping.
his hair is covering
his face like
bloody mud,
his eyes are shut
and for the first time
it's not because
he's clutching his mouth in laughter.
this is not
the travis I know
or the travis I ever
thought I'd see.
he has
bruises and
burns and
blankets that
snuggle him tight
like the
delicate little
eagle
he is.

and I didn't know it
until connor said softly
and not with humor
or accusation,
"dude, are you crying?"
so I wiped my face and
decided I'd come back later
when he's aware for dinner.

yet the impact
is burned in my mind
like a glimpse
of the future would be.