Save Yourself
I didn’t know my life was going to change completely when I got into my car and started driving to work. It was just like any other day. As I sipped my freshly brewed coffee, my mind wandered to the many tasks I had to complete before the day was over. The stop light flashed an angry red as I slammed on my brakes. Curse words flooded out of my mouth like running water. It shouldn’t be the small things like this that ruin my day. If I could juggle my fiance breaking up with me, excruciating hours of overtime at the office, and the passing of my mother; I knew a stoplight shouldn’t be at the top of my worries.
I turned the corner on 56th Street, and then got onto the busiest bridge in the whole city. Cars trapped you in a box. You couldn’t move unless they did, they controlled you. I looked out my window to watch the water below me, trying to take my mind off of my impatience. A split second later I was jolted forward.
I lifted my sore neck just in time to see a small black car, tilting over the side of the bridge, close to nosediving into the murky water. I got a sudden burst of adrenaline, and found myself crawling through the shattered back windshield of the black car. Inside was a small girl, who looked to be around four. Tears streamed down her cheeks, fear and shock in her bright green eyes. I unbuckled her booster seat and lifted her out the back. I yelled for someone to come get her. Crawling back into the car, I realized the young mother was knocked out.
I didn’t know how I would get her out. Even though she was thin, I wasn’t the strongest. The car squeaked and teetered. I lifted her as far as I could. A burly man reached into the car and pulled out her limp body. The car tilted more and more. I closed my eyes, and felt myself falling.
Invisible
You don’t even see me,
or you just might not care.
The aching words that I
speak linger in the air.
I suppose you saw me.
I heard all of you laugh.
All of your jokes break me,
and divide me in half.
Why laugh at my burdens
Or different styled shirts?
Those things shouldn’t matter
Your words can hurt.
So am I disgusting,
worthless, or even gross?
I think I just might break -
I am getting so close.
Inside the Diamond
The pink summer sky nudges
the blinding sun
towards the horizon
and out of my squinting eyes.
Neon yellow softballs
wrapped in red lace
sail from glove to glove
with spin and speed.
“Play ball!”
My smooth black cleats
climb onto the mound,
prepared.
Softball is not just a sport.
It is my pride and joy.
Inside of the diamond,
outside pains disappear.