If anything happens I love you
if anything happens i love you
last texts are sent
forgotten words are muttered under breaths
footsteps creep along the door
you grasp onto one another,
please protect us.
you’ve never been one to pray
but God’s scriptures start to recite
from your lips
eyes bulge as tears ricochet off of cheeks
bullets fly as they scrape bodies passing by you
why would anyone do this?
please tell my mom i love her
ding
ding
ding
What do you mean if anything happens?
Sweetie?
What are you talking about?
Why are you not answering me?
Please tell me you’re okay
Please don’t go
Can you please respond?
I’m worried.
Are you okay?
Please let me know you’re safe
Please hold on
I was supposed to show you so many things
I was supposed to keep you safe
I’m here
I’m here for you darling
I’m always here.
Currently in the waiting room of the hospital.
I know you’ll make it out of this.
My Sunshine,
You’re strong.
carnations were your favorite
i always bought them for your birthday
i just never thought i’d be staring at them
laying on your grave,
blue was your favorite color
i painted the walls of your bedroom
robin’s egg blue
just for you
nowadays,
my tears are robin’s egg blue
just for you.
soccer was your favorite sport
i drove you to all of your tournaments
i played songs in the car that we would sing together to
now i drive in silence when i pass by
a soccer field
filled with little kids running around.
that is supposed to be you
you are supposed to be there
why would the place
that was intended to shape you into
a young, brilliant woman
be the one to destroy you?
— — —
Riley Gewinner is a junior at Plano East Senior High School in Plano, Texas and has relatives in the Tri-Lakes area. She was 16-years-old when she wrote this poem.