I. Waited
Folk music
played over the radio
as I rode in the front seat
without a seatbelt
for there was only
room for two
yet my friend’s mother
who was pregnant
somehow
squeezed four to fit.
We were driving
down a street towards the hospital
(just a block away)
when another car
came from the right
where the street
was on an incline;
and hit us
passenger side
at around 45mph
in a 15mph zone.
As a child,
I remember going through
the windshield,
then pulled back into the car
also recall
it not hurting;
felt no pain.
The driver of the other vehicle
was taken by ambulance
along with the occupants
of the car I was in.
Crimson stained everywhere-
My parents were called
at their places of employment
to come pick me up
for I was the only one
who had no obvious injuries
but
a tiny bump on my forehead
and a smile.
Ambulance personnel
had never seen that happen before,
deemed it a miracle.
A few months later,
my friend and her family moved
after they sued
the other driver and won
for debilitating injuries.
II. Light Rod
Storm grew fierce
with lightning which danced
across blackened skies.
Rain fell and flooded
the storm drains
along with sidewalk pockets.
I walked home
from elementary school daily
and this particular day
had my umbrella opened
but it kept folding inwards;
it wanted to carry me away.
The Light followed me
as it touched onto the earth.
I heard this thunderous voice say:
Hurry home NOW…
for my playful nature
wanted to stomp in puddles,
do the rain dance.
The tree nearby shook
in fear
when the metal top
of my umbrella
attracted attention;
felt a punch
in my tiny stomach
which threw me
a few feet
from where I stood.
Unconscious for what seemed
like forever,
the Light Force knocked me down
but I got back up~
infused with a jolt to awaken
dormant senses.
.
.
.
I don’t use umbrellas anymore-
III. Feathers flew
Played frogger across the street
where dangers crept
in corners
for drivers could not see
me walk
or run
home after school was done.
My invisible guardian
kept me company
though he looked different,
still-
he promised to protect
at any cost.
Nobody could see him
which I did not understand;
how can they miss
the massive wings
on his back?
Three separate occasions,
I tested the waters.
Forgot to look both ways
before crossing;
excitement took hold
and I ran...
caused a stationwagon
to hit the breaks,
inches away;
my face had the deer
in the headlights look.
I saw her hood push down
as if something
stopped the car abruptly.
Happened two more times
till my guardian
held my hand, tightly
all the way home.
IV. It was Time
Doctor’s told the grim news
to my parents
and made mention
that they should consult
a man of the cloth.
The surgery went well
yet
there was a problem
at the end.
Tremendous blood loss-
A simple procedure
to remove my tonsils
became a chore.
All my mother could do
was cry
while father hid his face.
I talked to my guardian
who knew I was scared
going into the surgery;
nurses let me also keep
one stuffed animal.
His presence
made it bearable.
My guardian
showed me a field
where sunflowers grew
and let me pick some
for my mother.
I got to meet a tall man
who spoke through His smile
before He turned to my guardian;
said: “in due time.”
The sun embraced with warmth,
along with the dragonflies-
while doves took to the skies,
left a coo behind
to recognize their call.
( didn’t know these creatures names then,
only their images ingrained
but know now )
It felt like a Dream
but was not.
I had an opportunity
to see for myself
this man of the cloth
preside
over my body
in a frantic state
and corp men administering CPR;
no pulse-
code blue called.
My Spirit left its vessel-
too young to understand
what happened
for all I could hear was
Oh My God…
It took me years to decipher
what the Holy man
recited-
it was Psalms13;
why?
I was told,
because mother was Buddhist.
It was strange
for he looked upwards
as if in desperation;
his lips moved
eyes watered~
shaky hand reached out
to take mine
we touched through barriers-
and I remember
that smile
consumed his pale face
while beads of sweat
kissed my arm.
Welcome back,
my guardian said.
"She’s one brave little girl"-
the man of the cloth
told my parents
before he stepped out
again
into the rain.
Gold trophy winner
Honorable mention
Adding your comment:
~tia
