When I Was Young

When I was young, I shared a room with my Grandma.

She slept on the left side of my queen-sized bed.

And one Summer day, she gave me some money.

Told my parents to finally buy me new shoes,

Because my old ones had so many holes.

So we went to the local mall,

While Grandma stayed at home.

And when I came home to show her my new shoes,

She was asleep.

I sat in bed, on my usual right side, and I watched her.

Snoring loudly, Grandma slowly rubbed her belly.

In her deep sleep, her hand twitches, her snores echo.

And I tried to recall, when did she ever snore?

But I slowly drifted into slumber, and the echo faded away.

When I finally came to, it was already time for school,

And I would get to wear my new shoes,

But Grandma was still asleep, so I couldn't show her.

My mom opened my door, reminded me not to be late,

And she started asking me the strangest questions ever.

Asking me why Grandma had not awaken yet,

Asking me why my room smelled so pungent.

Asking me why my bed was completely wet.

I didn't know what to say.

My mom shook Grandma, repeatedly calling her name,

But she didn't wake up.

I heard my mom on the phone, talking to her sister.

Why did Grandma wet the bed?

And I'm rushed out the door, heading towards the bus-stop,

While I saw flashing red lights fade away.

School became a blur, and as I was eating lunch,

I got called to the Principal's office.

My parents were there to take me home.

No, not home.

To the hospital, where Grandma was.

"It's all your fault! It's all your fault!"

One of my aunts screamed at me.

Because I was at the mall, I missed all the signs.

While I was gone, until the time I got back,

While I was next to her, as I slowly fell asleep,

Watching her hand and hearing her snore.

As the brain stroke consumed her.

I felt so alone, so empty.

Then I couldn't stop writing, as my vision blurred.

The only time I felt whole again,

Was when I was pouring my heart and soul,

Into my ratty compostion notebook.

And I couldn't stop writing,

I still can't stop writing.