i was there

piano keys were played softly
a tune that was nameless and yet seemed familiar
it reminded me of days and those days still make me smile
even though they're not memories but fantasies
hot and dirty air weighs on my lungs
and i breathe in the rain and i still hear the music
haunting and hypnotic, i was there
i saw him staring at himself in the mirror
that insufferable song playing in his mother's room
i was there to see him shoot and cry when
the darkness didn't seem to leave his eyes
he twitched every time i spoke his name
in whispers we prayed for heavy rain
through the cracked glass on his windows
then and now, i feel his pain
for i share it with my own.