The Witness Poem by Edwina Reizer

I look. I hear. I see
and run away from the sight.
I try not to think. I shrink
away into the night.
The scene stays with me.
I cannot sleep.
I hear the scream.
I remember the weep
and what did I do?
I ran.
I ran as fast as I possibly could,
afraid to do what I knew I should.

But I must bear witness
and tell what I saw.
For I cannot live
with this character flaw.
I'd looked. I'd heard, I'd seen
and when I ran from the scene,
it followed me and said
'It will never leave your head.'
I cried my tears.
I conquered my fears
and spoke.