navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #49 » Sister of Mine
Open Poetry #49
Post A Reply Post New Topic Sister of Mine Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

0 posted 2015-05-26 10:57 PM


Sister of Mine

Many years ago
on the streets of Los Angeles
my sister was the victim
of violence.
Seems a crazy man
was running around
randomly slashing people
with a very sharp knife,
somewhere close to Chinatown.
My sister had just bought
a new red sweater and a stranger
ended up placing it on the wound
upon her neck to stop the bleeding;
that sweater helped to save her,
her skin had parted
like the red sea
and the only hope for survival
was direct pressure
which was accomplished
by placing the sweater
upon her neck;
at that time she ran
into a donut shop
and the man inside
viewing all the blood
went into shock.
Help was called for my sister
and the police arrived first
and made a quick decision;
he wasn't sure if she'd
make it if they waited
for an ambulance,
so she was driven
to the hospital emergency room
courtesy of LAPD.
His quick action
prevented a tragedy.
Today my sister speaks
of this part of her life reluctantly
viewing it as a sad time in her memory.
When I go to jury duty
they ask if anyone in the family
has been the victim of a violent crime
and when I tell them this story
about this sister of mine
I am excused from criminal cases.

JamesLee
5/26/15

  

© Copyright 2015 JamesMichael - All Rights Reserved
latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
1 posted 2015-05-26 11:47 PM


Such a sad story.I understand why she would prefer not to talk about it. Thanks go to the stranger who thought quickly and did something for her. best to you, Jo
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2015-05-27 08:22 AM


In other words you shirk jury duty. Why wouldn't you want to be the voice which put away someone who may have done something similar to what was done to your sister?

~*~ When they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
3 posted 2015-05-27 01:30 PM


sad, emotive, interesting 'slice of real life' write!
2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
4 posted 2015-05-28 12:32 PM


this is really sad, we can't imagine that,


yann

devina
Member Elite
since 1999-10-28
Posts 3539
Cali
5 posted 2015-05-28 02:32 PM


You sing somber so well, James- even in a piece of such pain and suffering, as this is.

You have gold in your heart, mister
huggs
~d

"..But a tyrant spell has bound me,
And I cannot, cannot go.."
~Emily Bronte
'The Night is Darkening Around Me'

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
6 posted 2015-05-28 10:10 PM


Stories like this happen more and more often it seems.  Count your blessings for the good ending.

Michael

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
7 posted 2015-05-28 10:49 PM




Sorry your sister had to go through that - tell her my heart's with her.

jimmy

[This message has been edited by jwesley (05-29-2015 12:16 AM).]

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
8 posted 2015-06-03 09:12 PM


thank you latearrival, Jerry, secondhanddreampoet, 2isklander2, devina, Michael and jwesley for the nice response.  Jerry when I went to jury duty it is their question to me.  "Has any one in your family been the victim of a violent crime."  and when I answer yes they eliminate me as a potential jurer...that is their choice, not mine...james
Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #49 » Sister of Mine

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary