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.

[Frieda P]

Speechless Brittany, an affecting read, and I adore Apocalyptica. Good choice here.

[Brittany Zedalis]

thank you very much!

[Giggling Star]

Quite a story. I don't know if I could have written about it. Your courage is admirable.

[Brittany Zedalis]

Took me 4 years to write about it

[Giggling Star]

Well God bless you and I'm so glad to hear that everyone was able to recover.

[Sami Khalil]

A wonderful for the miracles that happened but sad for the injuries done. Glad you all made it ok. Accidents are very dangerous and so many fatalities happen because of them. I like how you relate all these events...Bravo................

[Brittany Zedalis]

Thank you. Some injuries from this won't ever go away, which really sucks.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. Sorry to hear that...You are welcome...:).....................

[paddy d daly]

when i read this i thought of a bomb going off or some major catastrophe which obviously it was for you, glad that everyone came out okay in the end, you portray the event so well in your writing which i can only say is a testimony to you. Well done.

[Brittany Zedalis]

thank you. it was definitely a catastrophe.

[paddy d daly]

well done again, i can only imagine that it might be a good thing that you can express your feelings, better than not i think.

[Brook]

Such a brilliant poem. I cannot imagine how you felt, but wow what a miracle. I'm glad you're all alive and well.
Great write :)

[Brittany Zedalis]

It really was a miracle. Thank you!

[00000000000000000000000..]

A powerful write with meanings and flash backs, I been in 7 car accidents 3 very serious 3 not the fault of mine the last 2 one I seen the light:) The other was in 2008 hit head on by a drunk driver. Yep I can relate.

[Brittany Zedalis]

Wrecks are one of the worst things to go through

[0000000000000000000000000000]

Yes agree, Mine was wake up calls

[Brittany Zedalis]

Yeah, I've driven extremely carefully ever since this happened. And I'm terrified whenever I'm not the one driving.

[0000000000000000000000000000]

Yeah me too scares me to death being out their sometimes, Took me forever to get pass the dreams of my bad accident in 1997 front end of my s10 6 inches from the dash

[Brittany Zedalis]

I know the feeling. Most people don't truly understand unless they've been through it.

[0000000000000000000000000000]

Amen my dear friend:)

[Scott Metro]

You described the frozen moments in time quite well..
Could feel the desperation here.

Scott

[Brittany Zedalis]

thank you!

[Scott Metro]

:)
Scott.....

[Vidya Bacchus]

I am really sorry to hear that you went through this Brittany.You never know what tomorrow will bring so we must live life to the fullest today.

[Brittany Zedalis]

Very, very true. My friends and myself all learned that the hard way.

[Vidya Bacchus]

Well at least you all lived to seize the rest of your lives :)

[Brittany Zedalis]

So true. All of us have various health problems now, but at least we lived.

[Vidya Bacchus]

Well you are right at least you all made it :)