Seize the Day

radio playing, laughter transforms

into screams, metal crunching and

closing in, a flash of red hair,

or is it blood

 

the smell of dirt and smoke,

hands pull me from the wreckage,

covered in crimson water that

is not my own

 

            searching eyes and choked shrieks,

            where are they, where are-

 

face-down, still, twisted into

unnatural positions, unconscious,

the deafening screams are my

own, falling to my knees

 

helpless, seeing red but not in

anger, somewhere an ambulance

arrives, parents and bystanders

watch with unwavering fear

 

            they scream for their mother, and

            she is not breathing anymore-

 

uncontrollable shaking, a breath is

finally taken, but the battle is not won,

rushing, bright lights, tears and mud

staining my cheeks

 

she can only see shadows, his neck

is broken, another scream, a phone goes

off in the next room, a man in uniform

takes my hand and doesn't let go

 

~Mad Swirl 2014~

~People Are Amazing Online E-Zine 2014~

Author's Note

http://madswirl.com/poetry/2014/06/seize-the-day/



This is about a wreck I was in during October 2010.

Reviews

[Relic]

I've seen the carnage of car accidents on youtube and I'm struck by the horror of the aftermath. You are very brave to write this. To experience such a tragic event has got to be with you in the back of your mind for the rest of your life.

Yesterday, as I was driving on the expressway, I saw so much madness from drivers wanting to be at their destinations NOW. They foolishly flew by me like I was standing still. If only they could see and feel what you experienced they would know anything can happen at any time to anyone.

Your vivid descriptions and photos bring a reality to the poem in a way only a victim of the experience can convey. Indeed, we should all seize the day because it could all end in a second. Excellent writing.

[Brittany Zedalis]

The irony is that several of the people involved in this accident drive recklessly today. They complain about their pain from the crash (ignorant of my own, or maybe they just don't care) yet put themselves into danger everyday despite what happened. I hate the road, I hate cars.

Thank you for reading this. It was the first thing I wrote about the crash.

[Tina Louise UK]

wow...chilling...I was taken back to a car crash I was in when young. Stark imagery! Glad you all got out alive. Well penned hun x

[Brittany Zedalis]

I'm glad I did too, haha. Thank you very much!

[Pryde Foltz]

she can only see shadows, his neck
is broken, another scream, a phone goes
off in the next room, a man in uniform
takes my hand and doesn't let go

The sense of horror in this moment is transferred to the reader. A most-excellent write.

[Brittany Zedalis]

Thank you!

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

You have a perfected way in making your reads recoil and think hard on your wording, well done, good read.

[Brittany Zedalis]

thank you!

[Sapphire Naylor]

Oh my gosh. Again you show your true strength through writing. I look up to you. I'm so inspired by you and your ability to write. You have gone through so much and you look up every time. Amazing. Just truly amazing.

[Brittany Zedalis]

Thank you. Lately, it feels like it's impossible to look up, but somehow I do it anyways.

[Sapphire Naylor]

And that is true strength. Never forget that. You are strong and have been through much in the short amount of time you have had on this earth. Just remember how much you have gotten past and you will realize that you can get through anything life throws at you.

[Nami Machae]

wow.... amazing, absolutely amazing

[Brittany Zedalis]

Thank you.

[MsJewel]

What a horrible, horrible nightmare you went through Brittany. Thankfully you are here to write about it and your friends are ok. I completely understand why you would be afraid to drive after this... I admire the way you write from your heart. I feel like I get to know a little bit more of you with every one of your poems I read. Outstanding writing dear one.

:) Julie

[Brittany Zedalis]

Thank you for this amazing review.

[Rita L. Sev]

Tomorrow is guaranteed to nobody... So true, and a reason to live each moment you are here. This is a scary and vivid poem, Brittany. I am glad that you and your friends were OK. I lost a dear friend in a car accident 23 years ago. She was 22. Every milestone, I think of her, and vow to put my all into the days that she never got...

[Brittany Zedalis]

That is a great vow to have. So many people don't realize how dangerous cars are. I learned the hard way. It's a terrible thing to see a friend on the ground covered in blood and not breathing. I'm very lucky that she ended up being okay, along with everyone else in the accident.

[wordman]

you never know from minute to minute just a glimpse just a gesture can cause so much sorrow
glad your still here and your friends

[Brittany Zedalis]

Thank you!

[Coll Silvermoon]

WOW. This is VERY powerful. Thank you for sharing this. I felt the shivers while reading this.

[Brittany Zedalis]

And thank you for reading! Glad you enjoyed it.

[♔ CrownedDevil &#..]

Wow! This was a very emotional write. Nicely written.

Kaze~ :-)

[Brittany Zedalis]

Thank you very much!

[♔ CrownedDevil ☾]

Your very welcome. :-)