In the beginning, it is told as a story or anecdote, but when it starts to gain momentum, the poem starts to grapple a rhythm and creates tension. The fast pace helps us build an image of the crime.

“…somebody else and somebody else…” could illustrate that it could be hectic so in the heat of the moment he didn’t pay attention to who was around him.

“Sleep, and he’s probably armed, possibly not. Dream, and he’s torn apart by dozen rounds” shows that he is always traumatised and he constantly blames himself.

The last verse bring back it back to the moment to when he is standby over him, and the fact that it’s only two lines long empathises the fact that it’s significant.

“…and.the drink and the drugs won’t flush him out- he’s here in my head when I close my eyes…” shows that he turns to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain and that he’s permanently scarred for life.”

“… I see every round as it rips through his life..” shows how violent  the situation was.

The poem is about a soldier talking about him killing a bank robbery suspect, and explains how it scars him throughout his life, when he goes to sleep, and even how it keeps him awake.