Left

Right

Left again

Hand clasped tightly in another hand

Footfalls heavy and light on pavement

A sigh of relief

We made it safely

And again we walk

But be careful

Left

Right

Forgetting left again

Small hand in bigger hands

A sense of comfort

You’ll never get hurt

You’re young

You’ve got so much to live for

Pitter-patter of small feet

Stomps of much bigger feet

A sigh of joy

Let’s try one last time

Just for fun

Remember to be careful

No left

Nor right

You got careless

Feet flying

Hair in waves

Flowing behind you

Be careful

A spot comes closer on your vision

What could it be? Mom? Dad?

Is that you?

It must be you

But then a sound finds your ears

Loud and clear

The shape is coming closer now

You just stand

Frozen in shock and fear

And then you’re hit

A crash

A cry from your mother

A sob from your father

Sirens wailing

Lights flashing

Worried screams

Panicking people

You don’t see any if it

Inky blackness

Pouring over your vision

Left

Right

Left again, right?

A doctor you needed

A medic that cared for you

A nurse explaining

Careless

The word mocks your ears

Surgery

Physical therapy

You only get snippets

Legs paralyzed

No longer in use

Careless

Look to your left

And then to your right

And left again just to be safe