While taking my morning walk, I saw probably a dozen or more cars. I could plainly see two of the drivers—teenagers—texting, and at least six of the other drivers were talking on their cell phones. This need to be constantly in a conversation amazes me, and when I read this in an article: Researchers at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park estimate more than 3,000 annual teen deaths nationwide from texting and 300,000 injuries, in Long Island Newsday, I could only shake my head and say:
I Don’t Get It
She was barely seventeen
The speed limit was seventy
She was only doing fifty
And in the slow lane
Laughing as she read
The text from her best friend
In her peripheral vision
She saw the truck pass her
She was only twenty-seven
Her son would be two in a month
Her daughter had just turned four
She was going eighty, or more
Screaming into the phone at her husband
As she swerved around the semi
And into the right lane
The slow one, remember
He was twenty-nine and unemployed
Lost his job a week ago
He’d just ordered another beer
From the super fine waitress
When his wife called
Screaming at him because he forgot
To pick up the kids from daycare… again
The man’s wife died instantly
Please… think about it
Winding up in the back seat
Of the teenager’s car
The teenager had multiple lacerations
And almost as many broken bones
Car seats couldn’t save the little ones
The mini-van rolled seven times
The young father arrived home
Slightly drunk… about an hour later
Mad as hell because she wasn’t there
He’d turned his phone off at the bar
The only way to stop her screaming
Or so he thought
He turned it on and dialed her number
A man answered on the third ring
Who the hell is this?
There was no immediate response
Then the man on his wife’s phone said
This is the Police department, sir
Are you Mr. ………….
Copyright © 2013 C Mashburn
I took a break from packing and wrote the above poem to share with the good folks over at dVerse Poets Pub, on their Open Link Night #107. I don’t usually write about these types of things, but it was on my mind, so there it is.
If you text or talk on your phone while your driving, I only have one question for you: Why?
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zongrik said
doesn’t this make you MADD
Fancy HOV Ridin’
charlesmashburn said
Very!
brian miller said
damn man…i saw it coming..and it was kiling me to watch…esp having worked a few of those wrecks in my day…and that was before cell phones and distracted driving that comes with it…seriously there are things that can wait…what a society we have become that we have to have it now…and then pay the price…
charlesmashburn said
Really no subtle way to write about this topic. I truly just don’t get it. We live in a world gone stark raving mad!
Sherry Mashburn said
Wow! So powerful!
charlesmashburn said
And, so sadly true and real.
Talicha J. said
So tragic and sad. Split second actions have lifelong repercussions.
charlesmashburn said
Yes, they do. And so does not paying attention when you’re driving.
Oloriel said
Sad and heartbraking. I can;t stand people who text and drive, their carelesness could not only cost them their own life,but lives of other people as well.
charlesmashburn said
I agree.
shanyns said
This read like the tweets of a news service about an accident. Have been on the responder end and almost clipped by those to busy to pay attention. I was riveted to your words. Great GREAT ending.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Shanyns!
Waltermarks said
Words can kill!
charlesmashburn said
Sad, but true.
Truedessa said
I don’t understand either why things like this have to happen..I could see where this was going with each word the journey became more painful. We often hear about these tragic endings. I am glad you tackled such an intense topic with care.
charlesmashburn said
You give me too much credit; I just wrote what came out, without much thought to care.
Thank you!
Myrna said
First time I see this addressed in a poem. It’s so sad but I’m glad you wrote what’s on your mind. Hope we all listen to your poetic warning.
charlesmashburn said
Some will listen, some won’t. When I was a young man, I didn’t listen to anybody, so I understand. It’s hard and sad to watch people make mistakes, and/or use bad judgement but, unfortunately, that’s how many of us have to learn things–the hard way.
KATiE MiA FredericK! said
On our destinies are connected intertwined for tragedy and pleasure…Sadness when moments are not cherished.
charlesmashburn said
True. The older I get, the more I realize how valuable time is. I’ve got no time to waste on being sad or unhappy.