She Was Only 16

She didn’t know any better 
Was the excuse of the day 
And 16 is hard enough 
Without sibling children in the way 

“I didn’t birth these urchins,” 
She screamed for no one to hear 
But mom and dad were out the door 
In good spirit, full of cheer 

Selfish 16 year-olds rarely do as told 
And such was true that day 
She took the money they paid her
And she was on her way 

The girl across the pond would do 
So she handed her a twenty 
“I’ll be back before they’re home,” 
For a good time, she had plenty 

And in that smoke filled barn
With laughter, booze and boys 
16 year old had few cares in the world 
Except for that tell-tale noise

She tried to drown it out 
But she knew that she was wrong 
And it didn’t matter even a bit
When they played her favorite song

For the noise in her head grew louder
It tugged it shouted it pulled 
She knew she had to get home, quick 
Her mother could not be fooled 

She steadied her hands on the wheel 
To relieve the stranger sitter 
But the gravel pulled the car from her 
And that’s when it hit her 

Broken glass around an old oak
Sirens blaring from afar 
That one poor choice cost her family
More than just a car 

And In the passing days 
Hushed whispers full of half truths 
Sobbing, crying, asking why? 
16 drunk on 90 proof 

They say she was babysitting
Left the kids all alone 
But she’s not here to tell her side 
She resides beneath granite stone
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Callus Avatar
April 11, 2020 at 12:19 PM
A good combination of rhyme and narrative, Tara. A very sad ending, and a lesson to be learned. ~ Regards // paul
Radhakrishna Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 4:25 AM
Very nice story and well written. You can feel the spirit of the 16year old. Lovely. Well done!
Lamoureux Avatar
January 4, 2020 at 8:51 AM
I was hoping to see a new one. This one however is worth another read. When I was a kid there was a young girl who snuck out of the house and was killed in a car accident. My parents would often tell us the story to prevent us from taking chances. ( it didn’t stop us) luckily we were ok.
Kinard Avatar
January 2, 2020 at 7:07 AM
Nicely done, good story poem. I enjoyed it. You make me wish I wrote it.
Lamoureux Avatar
December 28, 2019 at 8:37 AM
Happy New Year to you as well. Thanksfor the visit.
One Avatar
November 4, 2019 at 1:52 PM
this is heartbreaking, but that could easily happen... well written..
Dawn Avatar
December 27, 2019 at 7:16 PM
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. Appreciate it greatly.
Em Avatar
October 24, 2019 at 3:49 PM
That's deep! I know many people that are stuck raising their siblings. It takes away from one's youth to have that sort of responsibility at such an early age. In this case it literally took away her youth. Nicely put. I felt like i was there
Dawn Avatar
December 27, 2019 at 7:14 PM
Thank you so much for reading and enjoying!! It means so much to me!
Keady Avatar
October 18, 2019 at 8:36 PM
Hi Tara.. I enjoyed this read... even though it's sad and tragic.. but your words are magic! .. best DAMO
Dawn Avatar
December 27, 2019 at 7:14 PM
So kind of you to say. Thank you thank you, a million times thank you.
Lamoureux Avatar
October 18, 2019 at 11:49 AM
This is so sad but oh so well told. Exceptional poetry and story telling.
Dawn Avatar
December 27, 2019 at 6:28 PM
That’s so kind of you to say! Thank you! Gonna stop by and check out some of yours now that Holidays are over and I can breathe again! Happy New Year
Theraven Avatar
October 18, 2019 at 8:59 AM
Tara, I liked the impact in your words.Very nice poem on teenage days and the highs and lows discovered. -Richard
Dawn Avatar
December 27, 2019 at 6:27 PM
Thank you, kind sir. Much appreciated
Staton Avatar
October 18, 2019 at 6:37 AM
Oh how tragic! Thanks for writing about this topic, it needs to be heard.
Dawn Avatar
October 18, 2019 at 10:29 AM
Thank you.
Somadas Avatar
October 16, 2019 at 12:05 AM
Mmm.. Sad ending.. Teenagers are difficult to handle..
Dawn Avatar
October 18, 2019 at 10:28 AM
I wrote this 20 years ago. It’s kinda immature but apparently how I felt.
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