Dawn

I wrote this as a tribute to my friend Dawn who was tragically killed in a car accident just before Christmas. ‘Jo Jo’ is her son but he escaped with only minor injuries.

She didn’t see it coming.
A black suv heading straight
towards her crossing 3 lanes of traffic,
her precious boy sitting in the back
directly behind her.

There is the loud noise of clashing metal and screeching tires.
She helplessly steps on the brakes
with a hundred thoughts racing
through her mind,
her feeble cry of “help” falling
on deaf ears.

In just minutes the fire truck
and paramedics appear,
their strong hands gently removing
her from the wreckage.
She is placed on a stretcher
and gives her son, who miraculously
escaped with minor injuries,
one last kiss and whispers
“Mommy loves you my sweet boy”.

The next morning the son awakens
in a hospital room with a fractured sternum.
Eventually he is told that his
precious mom didn’t make it.
He is developmentally delayed
and struggles to understand
the full meaning of it all.
Eventually the only thing he can
say to express himself is
“My heart hurts”.

Yesterday, I drove pass the scene
of the accident and saw her purple
jacket lying in the road in a
crumpled heap next to the few
remaining pieces of her Honda Accord.

I parked my car and climbed up the steep
hill to retrieve it because I can’t bear
to see it there every time I pass by.
I will wash it and one day wear it
in her memory.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Dara, how dreadfully tragic. How painful this must be for all who knew and loved Dawn. The abrupt ending of a beautiful life and particularly heart breaking for Jo Jo. Yes, wash Dawn’s purple jacket and wear it in her memory. It will help you in your grief. I wear items of my mother’s clothes frequently. I can still smell her scent. I am so sorry dear poet. 🌹

Chris

[Dara]

Thank you for taking time to read my story Chris. It happened so suddenly and we were just not prepared. Thankfully Joey has a very close friend of the family who can take him in. He is doing remarkably well considering everything that has happened. Having lost a mother I know you are all too familiar with grief. My heart goes out to you as well. Yes, the jacket will be comforting. I hope your new year has started out well. May the rest of it bring you moments of joy and peace also. Take care!

[ZKM_2010]

such a heartbreaking and emotional story.... only those who have lost loved ones can relate to the heart sinking feeling of an untimely death..

[Dara]

Thank you so much. It was even more tragic knowing the mother driver was drunk. I wish people would stop and think before they drive.

[Samuel Dickens]

This is so very tragic and heartbreaking. Once again, we must ask "Why"? Your feelings about the scene remind me of my own similar experiences. Yes, by all means, retrieve the jacket.

[Dara]

Yes, why her of all people? Sometimes random tragedy strikes and we are left with our mouths open and our hearts broken wondering ‘why’? I am so sorry to hear you went through a similar experience Sam. It something you often think happens to other people and then it hits close to home. Take care!