Across the Road

Carrying her books in tiny hands,
counting the steps back home from school;
her pigtailed hair swings as she moves.

She remembers the advice her mother gave:
"Look left and right before you cross".
She never forgets her father's words:
"No talking to strangers out on the road!"

She walks up to kittens down the street,
and begs her friends not to pebble one.
Singing about being smart and strong;
those songs she learned at school.

“Look left and right before I cross!
No talking to strangers out on the road!”

Her school was just a few blocks away,
the neighbourhood was calm; in a way.
The eyes of mothers peered a lot-
from windows and fences or attics.

They make sure their children come back.
Those children walk like floating angels;
spreading joy down every avenue:

It’s in the way walk.

Looking left and right before they cross,
not talking to strangers out on the road.

- BANG -

The tremendous sound pounds…

Scattering books from tiny hands,
they run to each other in panic;
seeking comfort and consolation.

They all walked upon the street;
and she alone on the sidewalk.

She thought she would be safer there;
alas, it was her end. Nothing had helped:

Not Looking left and right before she crossed,
nor not talking to strangers upon the road.

She had thought she would be safer there…


But only bloodied books had made it home,
and the ribbon which had tied her hair…

Her mother had seen the disaster from her roof,
but couldn't have helped her infant.

She walked so peacefully around the world-
not expecting a bomb just down the road.

She went mad for her child.

She disregarded all she knew.

Was it fate or some mistake?

Deprived of her six-year old child,
she had tried to protect her baby girl…

-but nothing had helped.

Not looking left and right before she crossed
Nor not talking to strangers out on the road.

She had thought she would be safe.


April 28, 2006 by Attawie,

edited by [olivebranch] 7/5/06