The Mistake

The bell rings loudly at a high school in town.

As the kids flood the hallways they’re all without frowns.

It’s the beginning of summer, to end a great year.

For the students, it’s parties with dancing and beer.

The party’s at my house, they rush to their cars.

My house is all ready, equipped with a bar.

As my parents are away on vacation somewhere,

I invite people over, planning with care.

Students are everywhere, it’s out of control.

The neighbors outside are suspicious, I’m told.

Toning it down, I ask people to leave.

The ones who stayed late, drank `til they heaved.

I’m getting pretty queasy, I’m downright drunk.

The last couple that left had beers in their trunk.

I watch in amazement as my friend drives away.

She shouldn’t have left, I begged her to stay.

As I sit outside on our old porch swing,

I heard a faint screech, then a crash and a bang.

I jump up quickly, my face drains to blue.

We run down the road, find the small car in two.

It’s wrapped around a tree, someone’s moaning inside.

People are crying and screaming, someone pushes me aside.

I watch in horror as two kids are pulled out.

My best friend, the driver, has blood rushing from her mouth.

I sit on the curb, my two hands on my head.

I hear someone whisper, “It’s no use, she’s dead.”

I just can’t believe it, only hours ago

We were talking and laughing, time passing so slow.

I sit there remembering, tears streaming from my eyes.

If I’d only made her stay, she’d still be alive.

Why don’t we see? I don’t understand

The reason we do this, bring our lives to an end.

If only we’d learn, if only she’d stayed,

She wouldn’t be paying for the mistake that she made.