State to state.. town to town.. On the side of crowded city streets.. On lonely country roads.. I see crosses.. Markers.. Of young lives ended.. Stories untold.. Testament to lives taken so soon.. I look at these crosses.. With tear filled eyes.. Looking at pictures. Young smiling faces.. Wondering why.. These promising beautiful children had to die. I look at the decorations.. Placed fresh everyday.. By parents and loved ones who can't stay away.. Pictures of sons and daughters.. Adorn these road side monuments.. Like a shrine. Parents crying to the heavens.. Asking their God WHY? Why did my child have to be taken away?. They were only celebrating the beginning of life.. On their Graduation day. Suddenly I feel raindrops.. mixing with the tears on my face.. I listen to the rains soft patter.. as it falls on helium balloons.. The balloon says..... Happy birthday Baby.. I hope to see you soon. I see a child's stuffed bunny.. once fluffy and soft.. Now dirty from the rain.. Slumped against the cross. Watch for these crosses.. Listen close to what they say.. We were once vibrant and alive.. Starting our future.. Just like you.. Now look at where we lay.. Our resting spot.. For all eternity.. A never ending reminder to our loved ones.. of what can never be.
Erica, I remember the first time you posted this,,I cried then too. Those crosses and trinkets that decorate the sides of the roadways are a sobering reminder of a life that ended so tragically. So sudden. Without any warning at all. Taken briskly from the arms of their loved ones. Sad and well written. Lisa
Erica, Very well written. I see these crosses everyday as the sadly adorn the roadsides. Many were very needless deaths. They stand to testament that one foolish moment is all it takes to erase a lifetime.
Reviewed by Al Swanson (Reader)
Reviewed on October 2, 2003
gee, biting Erica, and very very true, ad that is the saddest part of all, they had t die leave so early, and that a cross in itself, very descriptive, al
In the Whirlwind is a poetic storm that frees history from the cages of corruption and puts it in the hands of everyday people. Words are weaved into a new fashion statement that has nothing to do with runways but everything to do with projects!
A further collection of poems, many from years in the Middle East, but also the California San Francisco and Central Coast areas (Santa Cruz, Carmel, Big Sur, Berkeley, etc.).
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