I’m not a morning person, so his blow caught me off guard.

Abruptly knocked me off my feet—caused me to fall hard.

Something happened when I hit my head—I really can’t explain.

I tried to walk, tried to talk, but I didn’t feel the same.

I could hear him taunting me—to get up off the ground.

I wanted to defend myself— but I couldn’t make a sound.

Then I managed to let out just one small little cry

He said, “Don’t be a baby— You act like you’re gonna die!”

Having trouble breathing, I couldn’t catch my breath.

Just for a short millisecond, I thought about my death.

I saw my baby daughter who turned one just three weeks ago,

I vowed to never leave her, to endure this world alone.

I saw my precious son, not even one year yet,

The day he was born I never will forget.

My wife is at home pregnant with five more months to go,

I fear this is a baby that I will never know.

Skateboarding back in time such joy, I could sing.

Riding bicycles into the lake—at about thirteen.

My cousin and I play every summer growing up,

We were talking just last week, you know, just “catching up.”

A birthday cake all ablaze with nine candles—I make a wish.

A foamy tide turns out—tens, maybe hundreds of starfish -

My sister and my mother walk with me to the pond.

We hear the frogs hop out of reach—the closer that we come.

White flakes of snow are falling, consume the ground with white

Daddy makes a snowman and it’s really quite a sight.

I see a little boy, reverently on his knees.

He gives his heart to Jesus, Oh God that looks like me!

Lightening bolts surround me and a rainbow lights the way—

Jesus comes to rescue me from this disastrous day.

Heather Meza