Response to "That Day"

My memories don't go back far from "That Day"; only fragments or pieces of what might have happened to cause "that day" to come about. My mom was a homeroom teacher and my Browine leader and I adored her. My brother, Ronnie is a year and a half younger than I and my sister, Christiann is four years younger.

Christiann was in kindergarten and our mom didn't pick my sister up from her morning class. I was never in trouble at school and being called to the office over the public announcement system was a shock in itself. When I went to Mr Walker's office I did not know what would lie ahead for me or my siblings. I walked my sister home, both of us so tiny it seemed like a walk that lasted forever, I'm sure she had to be frightened or maybe it didn't even seem odd to her.

When I got us home the front door was unlocked, we didn't lock our doors back then but as I look back it seemed especially erie when I walked in; maybe even darker than normal and I knew immediately something was horrifically wrong. I always had a second sense, intuitive in nature even though I didn't understand the power of that intuition.

Mom had left, she left three small children and our dad - "That Day". Why, that is the question that has never been answered and we never were given the chance to ask because she was murdered before we would ever see her again.

That Day

School bells rang "That Day"
Beckoning Crewed cut boys and pig tailed girls
To take to their seats all in a row,
Teachers watch while their
Students recite "The Pledge"

Mr Carson's slicked back 50's style causes
Wide eyed girls to hide secret crushes "That Day"
Reading, Writing, Arithmatic and
Boy only recess revealing bloody secrets
While classes are controlled by ruler sticks

Homeroom Mothers adored by all
Cup Cakes and other party treats
Promote pride filled faces "That Day"
Science Fairs, Boy Scouts and Brownies
Teach respect and responsibility

Public annoucements systems
Beckon students to Principal's office
Everyone knowing what that might mean
A request to take a long walk home, "That Day"
Protecting a five year old sister

4th grade doesn't matter anymore,
School girl crush dimisished
Where did the homeroom Mom go "That Day"
Fear replaced pride, friends don't linger
Pigtails gone, all alone and in charge

That Day!

Fragmented

Segments of life lost forever
Shattered fragments
Dissipated in the air as if powder

Lint collects on the memories
Shattered fragments
Shadowed in a veil of violence

Tattered dreams blurred by tears
Shattered fragments
Innocence stolen by loud voices

Dreaded night time loneliness
Shattered fragments
Sadness unveiled in dawn’s light

Shattered fragments