Newspaper Clipping

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.