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!