I was in 4th grade at
Hubble Elementary.
Eddie Van Patten was
in 6th grade.
He was a big kid, even
for a 12-year-old.
He had a bowl cut,
and freckles.
Eddie was a
troublemaker,
but he never
bothered me.
One bitter cold
January afternoon,
he slipped on a
patch of ice,
hit the back of
his head and died.
Mr. Maguire, the
gym coach said,
It was the occipital bone.
We were all told
to feel the back of
our heads.
The coaches' eyes
didn't have that
sparkle anymore.
He said,
“You have to
learn how to
fall, always protect
the back of your head.
If you don’t land right,
It can kill you.”
For the next
week, we practiced
tumbling and
learning to fall the
right way.
I was sad for
Eddie, but I wanted
to play dodgeball.
-
Author:
Thomas W Case (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: November 30th, 2024 19:05
- Comment from author about the poem: My limited edition e-book is available through this link. It's called, Rise Up Collected Poems and Short Stories https://booksie.chainletter.io/i/thomaswcase888
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 30
- Users favorite of this poem: Cheeky Missy, Teddy.15
Offline)
Comments5
Good write Eddie, erm, Thomas.
Thank you.
That is a sad tale. We had several of our schoolmates go on ahead younger than we normally expect humans to pass on. So this hits a spot, even the part where we want to get on with the day, almost the very next minute. Such is a kid's world, brain, existence. Now as we age they are things we can think of and right about, if we are still around and able to do so. Thanks TWC.
You are welcome. Thank you.
A single trauma often provokes reactions too late. A sad poem but with a meaning that what is a precaution to ome becomes a hinderance to others.
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Wow. What's fascinated me for a couple decades now is the painful reality that, while most of humanity can take falls and tumbles and bounce back in a literal heartbeat, there's a smaller portion of us who are either killed outright in the same action or else severely damaged for life.
Beautifully rendered with a strikingly haunting poignancy, excellent imagery and a twinkling sense of humor. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, much appreciated.
There's so much in here, not to mention the mere metaphor of falling down, your poem is harsh but so are children, I love the reflection and then the ending. I've spent my Life working with children and this is a very good summary life goes on. 🌹
Thank you so much, sweet Teddy.
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