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Open Poetry #35
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Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri

0 posted 2005-03-17 04:18 PM



When she was six, dancing in her
aluminum foil tiara,she said
When I grow up I want to be a
princess and live in a big castle
and dance and dance and dance.

When she was ten, watching the
playoffs on TV she said, when I
grow up I want to play football
and run fast and dance in the end
zone to the cheers of the crowd.

When she was fifteen, holding a
broken winged bird in her hands,
tears on her cheeks, she said, when
I grow up I want to be a vet and
from then on our home was full of strays.

When she was eighteen, on the verge
of discovering, ready for college,
she said, I am all grown up and ready
to begin finding my way, on my own
but knowing you will always be there.

At twenty-two, lying in a closed casket
closed because-well just because- killed
by...no thats not strong enough...
murdered by someone to stupid to know
not to drive drunk.

I don't think she ever said
when I grow up instead of seeing
my mom with tears on her cheeks
at my graduation, I want to see
tears on her face at my grave.
When I grow up
I want to be a statistic.
When I grow up
I want to be a memory.
When I grow up
I want to be...ALIVE!



© Copyright 2005 Paula Finn - All Rights Reserved
bslicker
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-12-04
Posts 2321
state of mind
1 posted 2005-03-17 04:19 PM



bernie

A smile a day keeps the world in smile's.
Bernie Slicker

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

2 posted 2005-03-17 06:00 PM


hand over heart, this aches, I'm so sorry.



Maree

and i knew in the crystalline knowledge of you
~Buckingham/Nicks

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2005-03-17 06:30 PM


...


JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
4 posted 2005-03-17 07:18 PM


Nice writing...James
Copperbell
Senior Member
since 2003-11-08
Posts 956

5 posted 2005-03-18 12:12 PM


This is something hard to read - hard to imagine.
Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
6 posted 2005-03-18 12:37 PM


Paula, I can hardly breathe. I felt your pain so deeply while reading your poem.

It is as beautiful as it is sad. I am so very sorry for your loss ~ for the world's loss...

To never-ending love and Light Eternal,
Linda

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
7 posted 2005-03-18 03:10 AM


having a problem with drinking myself, I wish they would just ban alcohol from the earth. It would save many people much heartache.


Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
8 posted 2005-03-18 06:54 AM


This brought a memory back that I thought had been safely put away a long time ago, and I miss my friend as if it were yesterday...

Thank you, Paula.

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
9 posted 2005-03-18 01:16 PM


This one literally left me in tears... My heart goes out to all who've experienced this anguish you've so beautifully expressed.
Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
10 posted 2005-05-05 10:31 AM


This isnt a personal experience. Just a sad sad fact of life that shouldnt have to be. Thanks
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