Dear Bob--it hurts to feel the pain and desperation in your poems--and to
read the post that tells of Dawana's pneumonia.  I hope that keeping us
informed helps YOU to feel supported, and you must know we are all praying
for you both---thank you--



>                                        WHERE ARE YOU?
>
>A scream of terror blasts me awake
>A one ton chariot is sliding down an incline,
>Pinned to the door, sleep and bewilderment clouding my eyes
>Somehow I sense you grabbing the wheel,
>Desperately trying to save us
>Terror provides too much strength
>We enter the road, too much, too fast,
>Sliding sideways, swaying, caught in gravity's rapids
>A frozen instant of time, and as you cream again, tires blow in echo
>We slide, flip and ricochet down the road
>Hot asphalt fills my nostrils, as my face skims the ground
>Your screams growing louder and wilder in my ears
>Grass slaps my face, the truck starts bucking and jumping
>My head slams something
>Darkness
>Where are you?
>
>I hear you crying
>      But it can't be you
>                 Sounding like that
>
>Hurt animals make those noises, whimpering in pain and fear
>Light stabs my eyes as adrenaline blasts me awake
>Destruction and debris all around
>Engine rumbles die, as my hand turns off the key
>You aren't behind the wheel, or beside me, in the floorboard
>Or the backseat -
>Where are you?
>
>Shaking hands claw at my seat belt,
>Shoulder and hip shove open a door
>Stagger outside - God that hurt
>Where are you?
>
>Panic fills my heart, and overflows into my throat,
>And I begin to scream your name, over and over,
>Where are you?
>
>A stranger tries to calm me, and to lay me down,
>But she swears a prayer
>When I tell her you aren't there
>Where are you?
>
>She screams to me, there you are,
>So far away from my side
>My heart says to run, but rebellious legs refuse to work -
>I crawl to your side, grass burs stabbing my hands
>A prayer falls steadily from my lips like rain
>From a pregnant cloud "please God let her be alive, or me dead"
>You are so still, crying in pain and frustration; I reach your side
>Where are you?
>
>
>
>
>You look at me, with soft blue eyes, wide with shock and pain,
>And softly tell me "Don't move me, it's my legs"
>Your legs are lying at angles they were never meant to be.
>My breath catches, and my blood freezes
>Your precious body is so violated, you are so hurt
>I try to sprint, but settle for a crawl
>A phone, an ambulance, have to hurry, this has got to be a nightmare
>"Please God take care of my Lady, Please God help me"
>Where are we?
>
>A voice assures me an ambulance speeds our way,
>So trembling fingers dial your mom
>"An accident, she's hurt bad"
>A faceless stranger takes her voice to you
>Someone lays me down, so battered and sore,
>Ribs and shoulders burn like smoldering coals
>Head thick and heavy, clouds filling my mind.
>Where are you?
>
>Annoying voices wake me, faceless hands
>Straps, braces, boards
>"How is my wife?" I scream, and I hear a whisper leave my lips
>"The paramedic's with her" a bodiless voice replies
>I grunt in pain, as a cart with square wheels bumps me to an ambulance.
>I can't turn my head to you, but your screams begin anew.
>Pain from an outraged body echoes in my ears,
>And refills my heart with fear.
>Where are you?
>
>Sirens, radio, a voice saying life flight
>All carry me into an ER hall,
>More faceless hands with needles
>Machines, blood, and x-rays
>They tell me you have flown away
>So I lie, tell them I'm ok,
>And stagger out the door
>Where are you?
>
>The miles you flew so swiftly
>Takes me hours to cross
>My head and heart sore and aching,
>Prayers whispers from my lips
>As tears of fear fall like rain
>Where are you?
>
>My heart sinks, you lie motionless
>So many wires and hoses
>You open your eyes
>Those beautiful windows to your soul
>And tears spill down your cheek
>"I'm sorry, so sorry" the most wonderful voice I've heard
>And she is talking to me
>
>Her words cause confusion in my head,
>"What ever do you mean?"
>"You are hurt, the truck is wrecked"
>My angel says to me.
>
>"You  are alive!"My soul rejoices,
>As I smile and kiss your lips
>Finally, Finally, we are together again
>
>Your poor body, so broken and so bruised
>My body aches, wanting to take your pain
>I hold your hand, and touch your face
>And whisper magic words
>"I love you, I need you"
>And just like magic, a smile
>As beautiful as the sunrise
>Is given to a fool like me.
>
>But complications follow
>The windows to your soul slam shut
>And you don't wake, or talk to me
>Where are you?
>
>By bob armentrout   copyright 1999
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com



        for YOU from Camilla
        <[log in to unmask]>

        http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/camilla/one.htm


        When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot,
                                  Hang on, and swing!