Kathleen Levins
I always saw her crying in the bathroom stall,
I watched kids push her and throw her books in the hall.
I saw things she thought no one ever did,
I wonder why she hid.
I continued to watch her every day, until I thought maybe there was something I could say,
But I was overcome with popularity and pride, so I turned my back and walked away.
The next month our teacher made an announcement, saying that one of our classmates had passed,
My face felt hot and my heart beat fast.
I didn’t have the right to cry, I didn’t have the right to shed a tear,
Why didn’t I say anything; I’ve been watching her for years.
I saw her family standing in all black,
And I swear I almost had a heart attack.
Running mascara, messy hair,
Why did it take me so long to care?
Years went by and I now have a husband and a little girl,
I did everything I could to give her the world.
But one day my child’s radiant smile began to fade,
She no longer would plead and beg to go with dad to the arcade.
She wore sweatshirts and baggy clothes,
The teachers at school suggested she’d rather spend time alone.
My mind wandered back to when she was little and would beg for more play dates,
Little did I know this would be her fate.
Her excitement on Christmas morning no longer existed,
And I could see her perspective on life was deep and twisted.
Her grades were dropping, she quit playing basketball,
It seems as if she was gliding down a slippery slope,
With no one to catch her as she continued to fall.
I tried to catch her, time and time again,
But it seemed as if her broken heart was unable to mend.
Her perfect clear skin began to scar,
She no longer wanted to lay outside with mom and look at the stars.
I tried to help, but all she ever said was “I’m fine,”
I should have known that was the number one sign.
I sat on my porch under my daughter’s room,
One peaceful and quiet Saturday afternoon.
As I was brewing my coffee, I heard a scream,
I immediately ran upstairs, dropping my coffee, my feet sopped in a puddle of cream.
I ran faster than I ever have to my beautiful babies room,
But I already felt doomed.
She laid there on the ground,
Faster, my heart began to pound.
Her hands were cold, her body gone,
I knew I would see her again, but I couldn’t wait that long.
I tried my best to make it through every day,
But there was just so much I needed to say.
I went to my daughters room and sat on the floor,
I wouldn’t have to miss her anymore.
I grabbed some pills and closed my eyes,
I was about to end it all, but then I saw her there, standing by God’s side.
It was the girl from my high school, and in her arms she held my beautiful little girl,
My insides immediately began to swirl.
I unclenched my fist and the pills fell from my hand,
I finally understood God’s plan.
Years later I was driving in my car past an old creek,
Until I was startled by the sound of a young girl’s shriek.
I saw a girl fall into the freezing water,
I bolted out of my car in hopes to spot her.
I dove in after her and threw her onto the shore,
But it was a little too late to save one more.
I shut my eyes and drown to the bottom of that creek,
My physical body getting more and more weak.
But my soul was filled with an unbelievable power,
I soared to the heavens where I was reunited with my baby girl again,
And she reminded me that not every story has to have an end.
We looked down upon the girl from the creek,
And watched her grow stronger every passing week.
She grew up to be strong and kind,
Always keeping that day in mind.
She prayed every day,
Thanking the lord for not taking her away.
I smiled at my daughter, and she smiled back at me,
I wonder who she would have grown up to be.