‎I remember it like it was yesterday... because it actually happened yesterday

‎Do you ever ask a man the day he would die and he would reply, "Today, yes today"?

‎I'm here in this room, and I can feel this presence, of a man's spirit departing 

‎Frank's face falls, like you can see the separation of flesh and spirit, the parting 

‎It was yesterday, we were getting things ready for a party we would attend 

‎Frank's my roommate, my brother; said we'd ride it out till the end 

‎Several gunshots were heard in the area, gang fights are the norm around here 

‎The police had set up checkpoints, their pitiful attempt to placate the existing fear

‎I told Frank we could cancel, "there will always be parties" 

‎But Frank always let his desires take the lead, "I need to see what's under those panties" 

‎The police stopped us, "Get down from the vehicle" 

‎I was immediately reminded of my mortality; the guns, red eyes, things could easily get physical

‎While I fearfully stepped out of the vehicle, I heard Frank reciting the usual mantra, “I know my rights”

‎I had my hands up where they could see them, while they roughed up Frank like it's fight night 

‎Amidst the chaos, I heard it up close, for the first time 

‎A gunshot to Frank's chest, replayed in my head, a traumatizing chime
 

‎The day that began with hope, quickly turned dark 

‎The birds stopped flying, the wind stopped blowing, rooted to the spot like a landmark

‎I remembered those conversations with Frank, the dreams we dreamed

‎How would I look at my phone, the memories we filmed?

‎In that spot, I wish I was like Frank, who always challenged the system

‎Yes, I was alive while he was dead on the ground, but I was a coward, they slapped me and I turned the other cheek like they would kiss them 

‎I was always careful and now, I'm alive in the body, but dead inside

‎Frank, in his death, showed who he was and how he lived by his passions, and what have I done all my life? Hide.