Tragedy

for Rahah

She didn't know it was
coming. How could she?
Daddy driving, Mommy
feeding the baby.
And she was playing with
her little sister.

All five happy,
unaware,
but angel Gabriel was close,
a hair's breadth away.
He reached for her, and her, and her,
and him.

Unaware.

Remember all those times
when classmates laughed at you?
Who were you able to call
friends,
and who was just another
person in your tragic life?

Closer...

All at once
but in slow motion.
Red car;
vroom!
Sister opens her mouth
in a scream.
Lost in the air.
Mother ducks
to protect child.
Father spins wheel
swearing.
Baby,
for once,
silent.
And she, the
heroine in this tragic story,
saw:

Saw the blood,
the heads,
chopped.
Saw the people crowding.
And saw blackness.

He had reached them
and spared only one
from five.

No more family trips,
no more laughter.
Gloom,
a silent depression.
Just one phone call to Mom
she begs.

Wires line her body,
skin inside-out.
No one left to turn to.
No one left to call.