That Warm Night

I was invited to a party,
a few roads across town.
I thought I'd meet my friends there,
but they were not around.

So I hopped into my beat-up car,
ready for adventure.
My mom came racing to my door,
I was ready for my lecture.

Instead she told me softly,
to be careful that warm night.
I promised her that I'd drive safe,
that everything would be all right.

I arrived at the location,
and accepted a small drink.
I didn't really want it,
but I didn't stop to think.

Soon I was gulping cocktails,
feeling lighter with each sip.
And I felt so free, invincible,
as I swallowed the last drip.

The room was spinning freely,
as I danced across the floor.
And I wondered why I hadn't ever
drank this much before.

Then, despite my happiness and fun,
my head began to ache.
I found my car keys in my purse,
'cause my brain was going to break.

I stumbled across the gardens,
unlocked the beat-up car.
Started up the engine,
headed across town once more.

But something tragic happened,
I didn't see the light.
I didn't see the people, either,
crossing the warm night.

As I slid across the pavement,
I knew my time had come.
My head just kept on spinning,
all this for just some fun.

The next moments were quite hazy,
as I lay mangled in the car.
Pain shooting through my body,
never though it'd go this far.

Heard sirens in the background,
rushing to my aid.
But as I closed my tired eyes,
I knew it was too late.

As I saw the world below me,
my heart just filled with dread.
I saw the people that I hit,
and knew that they were dead.

I cried so hard on that warm night,
as I floated through the sky.
knowing that it was my fault,
and I never said good-bye.

Now I'm floating up to heaven,
where I really don't belong.
Brought so much pain to others,
did something really wrong.

I killed six happy people,
four kids, a man and wife.
And I'm lying in a coffin,
because I lost my precious life.

I see my mother's upset face,
her eyes so filled with tears.
"This wasn't supposed to happen,
this is exactly what I feared."

I was just a normal teen,
who had too much to drink.
I had a boyfriend, did well in school,
but that night I didn't think.

So the next time you're invited
to a party with your friends,
Please remember this could be
the night when it could end.

I learned all this the hard way,
and made a terrible mistake.
So please don't do what I did,
and drink as much as you can take.

I had so much before me,
a great future straight ahead.
I wanted to be an actress,
but I can't because I'm dead.

It happened all so quickly,
didn't even get to fight.
Didn't know how fast my life could end,
I'll always remember that warm night.

--Sarah Woo

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The Final Act

Screeching tires, shattering glass,
Twisting metal, fiberglass.
The scene is set, it all goes black,
The curtain raised, the final act.
Sirens raging in the night,
Sounds of horror, gasps of fright.
Intense pain, the smell of blood,
Tearing eyes begin to flood.

They pull on bodies one by one.
What's going on? We were only having fun!
My friend is missing. What did I do?
Her belongings everywhere,
In the road there lies her shoe.

A man is leaning over me and looks into my eyes,
"What were you thinking, son?
Did you really think that you could drive?"
He pulls up the sheet, still looking at me,
"If you'd only called your mom or dad, you'd still be
alive."

I start to scream, I start to yell
But no one can hear me, no one can tell.
They put me in an ambulance, they take me away.
The doctor at the hospital exclaims, "DOA!"

My father's in shock, my mother in tears,
She collapses in grief, overcome by the fear.
They take me to this house and place me in the box.
I keep asking what is happening,
But I can't make it stop.

Everyone is crying, my family is so sad.
I wish someone would answer me,
I'm starting to get mad.
My mother leans over and kisses me good-bye,
My father pulls her away, while she is screaming,
"WHY?"

They lower my body into a dirt grave,
It feels so cold, I yell to be saved.
Then I see an angel, I begin to cry.
Can you tell me what is happening?
And she tells me that I died.

I can't be dead, I'm still so young!
I want to do so many things
Like sing and dance and run.
What about college or graduation day?
What about a wedding? Please-I want to stay.

The angel looks upon me, and with a saddened voice,
"It didn't have to end like this, you knew you had a choice.
I'm sorry, it's too late now, time I can't turn back.
Your life is finished-that, my son, is fact."

Why did this happen? I didn't want to die!
The angel embraces me and with her words she sighs,
"Son, this is the consequence you paid to drink and drive.
I wish you made a better choice, if you did you'd be alive.
It doesn't matter if you beg me, or plead on bended knee,
There is nothing I can do, you have to come with me."

Looking at my family, I say my last good-bye.
"I'm sorry I disappointed you, Dad.
Mommy, please don't cry.
I didn't mean to hurt you, or cause you any pain.
I'm sorry all you're left with is a grave that bears my name.
I'm sorry all your dreams for me have all been ripped away,
The plans for my future now buried in a grave.

"It was a stupid thing to do,
I wish I could take it back.
But the curtain is being lowered now.
So ends my final act."

--Lisa Teller

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