Charles Messina Poet Tanka

Notes About The Poem

This is a true story about my sister Sandy getting hit by a car at the young age of just 5 years old. She incredibly beat the odds and is now 59 years old and living a beautiful life!

Her Heart Still Beats

My sister and I 
She was five and I was eight 
Walking home from school 
About a mile from our house 
Bang! She got hit by a car 

What I remember 
From then, till now...I still cringe 
Watching her- helpless 
Thought she died, how much I cried 
And my parents; they were weak 

Months of hope and prayer 
Years- rehabilitation 
By the grace of God 
And lord...I know there is one 
Her heart still beats in Georgia 



Childhood Nostalgia Poetry Contest 
Sponsor: JCB Brul 
8/24/2022

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Linda Alice Fowler August 31, 2022 at 3:01 PM Back with more congrats Charlie! :) Linda

John Watt August 27, 2022 at 8:17 PM Charlie, this one brought a tear of gratitude for your sister recovering from such a trauma. I can relate - I was struck by a car when I was 9... so scary. And for her, only 5 years old! So beautifully phrased and poignantly remembered in your wonderful style. Congrats for your POTD, keep writing and inspiring, brother! ~ John Charles Messina August 29, 2022 at 4:46 AM John, thanks for your Congrats and the positive waves, brother! Indeed, scary moments. Geez...sorry to hear about you getting struck at just 9, so happy you are here with us. This world is a better place with you AND your poetry. Ink to paper my friend. ~Charlie

Tania Kitchin August 27, 2022 at 12:09 PM Charlie, a wonderful poem, glad your sister survived that accident, a belated congratulations on POTD! Charles Messina August 29, 2022 at 4:48 AM Tania, thank you so much for your thoughts and congrats! Your comments are much appreciated!

Sara Kendrick August 27, 2022 at 7:36 AM How horrible for a child to witness such a tragedy of a close family like a sister. I can feel the emotion in this one. Congrats on POTD..Sara Charles Messina August 29, 2022 at 4:50 AM Dear Sara, yes, such a tragedy for anyone to witness, let alone a family member. Thank you for the visit and comments...much appreciated! Charlie

Tom Cunningham August 27, 2022 at 1:47 AM What a terrifying experience Charlie, so glad it had a happy ending. Greetings from Spain, hope you're keeping well. Congratulations on POTD. Tom Charles Messina August 29, 2022 at 4:52 AM Tom, I can still remember it like it was yesterday, terrifying. Thanks for the congrats! Have a great time in Spain my friend. Charlie

Michael Tor August 26, 2022 at 10:53 PM Charles such pain a human should not have the right to experience. Reading this really shocked my insides. I am so sorry you had to be a witness to this horrific act. I am so glad she survived. It took a lot of courage to write what you wrote. Well deserving of Poem Of The Day. God bless you and comfort you... Charles Messina August 29, 2022 at 4:55 AM Michael, I agree with you at the highest level. No one should have the right to experience such a tragedy. Thank you for your thoughts and comments...so much appreciated! God bless you, my friend.

Brandy Nicole August 26, 2022 at 7:49 PM Charles, I'm sorry that you and your family had to go through this. Prayer does work and your sister is living proof of that. Your thoughts curl softly around me. "Her heart still beats in Georgia." May it continue to beat for many more years. Congratulations my dear friend, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy Charles Messina August 29, 2022 at 4:59 AM Hi Brandy, thank you so much for your wonderful thoughts and comments. My parents have been through a lot raising seven wild children (lol). But this ranked as one of the worst for sure. Hope all is well my dear friend. Hugs, Charlie

Malabika Ray Choudhury August 26, 2022 at 6:34 PM Congratulations on your POTD, Dear Charles. A horrifying experience, but your family was fortunate - she survived! BW ~ Mala Charles Messina August 29, 2022 at 5:02 AM Dear Mala, yes, we were very fortunate for sure. My younger brother was also struck by a car when he was riding his bicycle. Fortunately, he only ended up with a few cuts and bruises. We are blessed. Thank you for the congrats! Charlie

Kim Rodrigues August 26, 2022 at 6:08 PM Wow, Charles! A very hard thing to experience! Congratulations on POTD! Charles Messina August 29, 2022 at 5:03 AM Kim, a terrible thing for any sibling or family member to witness and experience. Thanks for the congrats!

Thompson Emate August 26, 2022 at 4:57 PM Congratulations on your POTD. I'm glad your sister survived the accident. It's a testimony. I'm blessed to have mine also survive their horrors. Charles Messina August 29, 2022 at 5:06 AM Thompson, thank you for the congrats. Happy to hear your family survived their horrors as well. We are the fortunate ones. How different our lives could have been, geez. All the best, Charlie

I Am Anaya August 26, 2022 at 11:42 AM Congratulations Charlie on a heartrending POTD... "Her heart still beats in Georgia" a sister's tragedy, a rocky path you all had to bear. Faith and family's prayers heard. She is lucky to have you as her brother. Good share! ~Anaya Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:02 PM Thank you, Anaya. I am lucky to have her as a sister as well :) Much appreciated! ~Charlie

Paula Goldsmith August 26, 2022 at 10:58 AM Congratulations on POTD win. An amazing write/story. Glad she is OK. Prayer is very powerful. Have a great/blessed day writing away.................... Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:03 PM Thank you, Paula. Amazing how powerful prayer is. Have a blessed day dear friend!

Constance La France August 26, 2022 at 10:58 AM Charlie, so emotional, you were able to translate the horror of the accident, happy your sister survived and is doing well, congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE DAY honor ~ Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:06 PM Constance, horrifying for sure. Thanks so much, much appreciated!

Jim Slaughter August 26, 2022 at 9:45 AM Oh, gosh, Charles! I can't even begin to imagine experiencing something like this...and at such a young age. I'm so glad your sister is alive and well in Georgia. BOL in the contest, too. Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:12 PM Jim, thank you for your comments. It was horrifying at age eight. But knowing now how precious life is, I think it would have hit me harder if it had happened recently. Thanks also for the BOL wishes...much appreciated!

Eve Roper August 26, 2022 at 9:09 AM Charles,so heartbreaking. Congratulations on POTD.. Many blessings my friend Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:14 PM Oh Eve...yes, heartbreaking. There must be a god :) Thank you my dear friend!

Christuraj Alex August 26, 2022 at 8:43 AM Very touching. Especially the last line. "Her heart still beats in Georgia" Very consoling line, yet. Lively narration. Picturesque. Congratulations! . Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:15 PM Thank you so much, Alex. Much appreciated my friend!

Bill Baker August 26, 2022 at 8:20 AM One of the best Tanka poems I've ever seen, JCB. Congratulations on your POTD. Such tragic event in your young life. Praise God, she lives! A FAV for me, it touched my heart. Thanks for sharing your life's experience with us through your poetry. Bill Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:19 PM Gosh Bill...that's a pretty damn good compliment to receive, especially because I've only written a handful of Tanka's. Thanks for fav'ing and commenting, nice to hear it touched you! Praise God, she lives! Charlie

L Milton Hankins August 26, 2022 at 7:42 AM Charles, I really like your poem. It is so tender, expressive, full of pain, hope, and restoration. Exceptional, just exceptional writing. I see a winner here, for sure! So glad your sister survived and is still doing fine in Georgia. Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:27 PM Hey Milt. Boy, you sure know how to make a fella feel good (lol). Thanks so much for your most appreciated kind words my friend.

Anitha Jayasankar August 26, 2022 at 7:10 AM Charles, am so glad God saved your sister... Such a great emotional nostalgic write... Congratulations on your potd honor... God bless... ~ Ani Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:28 PM Thank you so much, Ani. Much appreciate your thoughtfulness! God bless my dear friend... ~Charlie

Jeff Kyser August 26, 2022 at 6:15 AM This would be a strong contender for the Strong Emotions contest as well. Thanks for sharing, and congrats on your POTD Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:29 PM Perhaps I'll enter it there (lol). Thanks Jeff...Much appreciate your kind words!

Susan Lawrence August 26, 2022 at 6:07 AM Beautiful.. deeply emotional. So very glad of your sisters recovery . The love and prayers received by you and your parents helped in your sisters journey. Congratulations on POTD Charles . Blessings, Susan :) Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:31 PM Thank you so much, Susan. Amazing what prayers can do...I'm a believer! Blessings, dear friend :) Charlie

Joseph May August 26, 2022 at 5:50 AM Drooping back with Congrats on POTD Charles Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:32 PM Thank you very much, Joseph. I appreciate your visits and congrats!

Victor Buhagiar August 26, 2022 at 5:46 AM Congratulations for POTD! Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:33 PM Thank you, Victor. I really appreciate your congrats! Stay well my friend.

Heidi Sands August 26, 2022 at 5:43 AM Wow this poem is so powerful. Congratulations for POTD! Bless you.:) Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:34 PM Thank you for your kind words, Heidi. Much appreciated! God bless you as well. :)

Linda Alice Fowler August 26, 2022 at 5:29 AM Wow Charles. Very moving and sweet write. Congratulations on POTD! Linda Charles Messina August 26, 2022 at 12:36 PM Hi Linda. Thank you very much for your kind words and congrats. So much appreciated. Charlie

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