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solsc.2012: blink 22/31


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Slice of Life Stories hosted by the


Accidents happen
in the blink of an eye

Missed it by mere minutes
arriving to the leftover scene
Slowly gaping and calculating
what could have transpired

Two usual days ahead
One young teen to school
One elderly running errands
Two lives collided

Turn
S-c-r-e---e---c-h
Cra     - sh
Stop

Two lives changed
One sobbing in fear
One sitting rigid in shock
Two unsure of driving again

Startling reminder
To slow down, be alert 
Sweet precious irreplaceable
cargo on board

In the blink of an eye
Accidents happen

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Comments

  1. Deb DayMarch 22, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    Wow--great job in a few words of painting a picture of the event. I love the first and last stanzas and how you flipped them...

    ReplyDelete
  2. KarenMarch 22, 2012 at 7:13 AM

    I agree with Deb - the connection between first and last stanzas is powerful. It is so true that the precious cargo in the back makes us much more thoughtful about how we drive.
    Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Katherine SokolowskiMarch 22, 2012 at 8:17 AM

    Great poem. I'm with Deb and Karen, I love the connection between the first and last stanzas.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JudyMarch 22, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    This is a good reminder of how quickly things can happen. I'm so glad that you came after it was over. You have become very adept at writing poems (among other things). Be careful and alert - just a Mom reminder. Love ya M

    ReplyDelete
  5. LynnMarch 22, 2012 at 3:39 PM

    Gosh Michelle, I say this all the time when I'm driving..in fact I wrote about this last year on my bolg. I will never understand why people are in such a hurry...is something that important??? Very powerful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Terje March 22, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    You can fit the description, emotion and thought perfectly into a poem. Safe driving!
    Terje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terje March 22, 2012 at 3:46 PM

      I wanted to add that I am sorry for anyone being in the accident and I am glad that you and your girls were safe.

      Delete
  7. JenniferMMarch 22, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    Really powerful poem! I always think about that when I'm driving, especially since the one accident I've had was on a road I'm not usually on, at a time I'm not usually driving. I like how you showed the two perspectives of the teenager and old person; how they were different and yet the same.

    ReplyDelete
  8. LindaMarch 22, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    I've been in near misses several times, so this poem really speaks to me. How quickly our lives can change! I love the shape of your poem, it adds to the impact! Very powerful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Christy Rush-LevineMarch 22, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    Your poem gave me goosebumps. I came upon a similar accident today and had similar thoughts, though nowhere near as well-articulated as yours!

    ReplyDelete
  10. CarolMarch 22, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    With all of these great poems you are going to have to consider writing every day next month for National Poetry Month!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Peg DMarch 22, 2012 at 10:24 PM

    Nicely written. I like the word choice. Powerful imagery. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete

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