GHOST CHILDREN TRILOGY (3/3): Look Both Ways

Written ~ (06/14/26) · Published ~ (Unpublished)

Uploaded ~ (10/03/26)

In spring, on a sunny bright day
Children’s laughter heard, joyously as they play

Parents gossiping and complaining of work
Everyone acknowledged their boss was a jerk

Silly jokes, teasing, sly grins and eye-rolling puns,
The aroma of hot dogs, covered in mustard on hot dog buns

Sipping fresh lemonade, so sweet
The neighborhood makeshift picnic so neat

All laughing stops, as screaming brakes are heard
“Surely not” the parents thought, it would be absurd

Rushing toward the street, bicycle turned over
Innocent little eyes, gripped by fear staring at a dented Land Rover

Mother’s wailing now, ear piercing high
Neighbor’s prayers muttered in futile, looking toward the sky

A driver in shock, that he couldn’t see
A little boy, chasing a marble who couldn’t flee

Riding into the street, giving maddened chase
Not looking at traffic, lost in his haste

A radio too loud, eyes diverted only a minute
Though too soon to correct, swerving he grimaced

Little lungs full of life before, but now not anymore
Little heart stopped beating, a lifeless child falls to the floor

Mournful mutters, cursing under their breath
Adults surrounding, in shock at what is left

The mangled innocence before their eyes
The nearby children learning how fragile are their lives

Time passes, but the wound never healed
A cross placed by a nearby tree, in honor of him who was killed

Now it is said, a chill can be felt and laughter can be heard
On a sunny spring day, on that neighborhood street, near tire streaks now blurred

Maybe he is there to remind us of his name
Maybe he stays due to self-blame

Though maybe he warns others to stay away
Maybe, just maybe though, he still searches for his marble… so he can play