I sit in class; it’s just Another day.
Smiles and laughs are Shared.
Happiness fills the room with Cheer.
“Circle up” says Teacher’s voice,
and we do just as she wishes.
She holds up a piece of newspaper;
which she begins to read it aloud;

“A Life
can End
in a Instant.”
Suddenly, air is un-breathable.
I tell myself I’m Fine,
but to myself I Cannot lie.
Rivers thrash against their dams;
I Won’t allow the flood to break.

“… Shock … Memories … Death …”
Images rushing, flashing by;
Never-ending phone calls,
Stories told and Experiences shared,
the Loving advice from the one person
I could Always go to.
The paranoia of her coming words
keeps me in Fear.

“ Gone ”

My eyes Shoot down to the floor;
the dams losing the battle
in one Single, lone Word.
I shield my face,
though it’s obvious I’m a Wreck;
I Won’t look up,
I Won’t meet Their staring eyes.

Biting my lip, holding back my whimpers,
I feel this Weakness taking its Control.
No Longer am I where I was;
No Longer am I me.
I am a Victim, a Victim of this pain.

When my sight goes blurry
I think about running,
but I am remain unmoving;
Helpless,
I give up the fight.
Teacher, she continues;
“An important lesson one should learn…”
The Rock in my throat tells me,
I’ve learned it
a little Too well.

She ends her reading.
I close my eyes, finally coming up.
Seems as though Forever
until I manage to open them again.
Pretending everything’s Fine
I turn to my side
She looks me, Straight Into Me,
and wraps me in a hug.

More droplets fall
from their unending burst,
but in that moment
when She asks me,
“Are you okay?”
I can respond and say,
“Yes.”
At Least for another day.