"A text message!"

(Scrawled after reading it
on December 18, 2008).

Humming a Christmas carol, I drive,
Rush hour traffic, yet I don't mind--
It's Christmastime after all!

Lights twinkle across rooftops,
As the sun peacefully sets--
A lovely winter afternoon!


Da, da, da, da, da, dum.
An envelop appears on the screen
Swooping across Christmas tree wallpaper.

A text message!
Instant delight!

Anticipating a "Hi!" or "Waz up?" I read,
"My mom is in urgent care..."
Eyes darting across the text,
Glancing at the tail lights ahead of me.
"She fell again and can't feel her leg."

"What? No!"
I blink my eyes unconsciously,
Shock...
The muscles in my face instantly tense,
Brows furrowed, grimacing,
'How could this happen?
Oh, not again!
Last time was frightening, but again?
Will she recover?
But her graduation is tomorrow!
The pain she must feel!'

Her concern and worry pierce my soul.
Water fills my eyes.
Sadness, pain, and sorrow well over,
Overflowing my heart,
Flooding my cheek.

Nothing to say,
No words can express.
Just tears to shed
For my dear friend.