Assorted Heroic Words: Watchman

a guard

Marty never stopped going to school,
following the shooting;
what he did,
and he couldn't imagine
anyone doing any less,
was become painfully
aware
and stood vigilant,
and that he saw
as his most sacred duty,
but it also meant
he was paying attention
perhaps for the first time
to everyone there,
meeting them
for the first time,
so in a way
it made him better,
a little more human,
forming new affection,
not less.
It's just,
such attention
comes with a price.
You lose yourself
in the bargain.
Such is selflessness.