Uncle Mark

flash in the sky
imprint on my mind
* * *
we picked him up
that grey skied Sunday
from the hospital...
nail in his foot.

I was young
maybe five years old
looking out the car window...
one streak of lightning

I felt that electric bolt
and got goosebumps
I didn't get struck...
physically anyway

not too long after
he put a bullet
in his head...
i remember that bolt.
* * *
flash in the sky
imprinted on my mind