"As I Walked"


As I pulled into the parking lot
my heart pounded.
I waited for a familiar face,
my best friend.

As I walked into the building
I could not breathe.
Tear-stained, familiar faces
coming for a hug.

As I walked down the hall
a student hugs and speaks
“Ms. Hodgens, she is in the same room as my father.”
How can I be strong for him when I am not sure how to be strong for myself?

As I walked down the hall
a calm came over me.
I am here for them
not for myself.

As I walked down the hall
familiar faces, tear-stained.
Faces looking for an answer
as to how they could lose one of their own.

As I walked down the hall
a book for my signature.
Just a signature to let all know
that I do care.

As I walked down the aisle
family members and friends are gathered.
What do you say
about someone so young?

As I walked closer to the coffin
a feeling of walking through a dream.
A question –
what do I say to her mother?

As I walked closer to her mother
a simple answer.
“I am so sorry for your loss.”
But was that enough?

As I walked back down the hall
I decided to sit and wait.
I waited for a familiar face
the best friend that had a lot of healing before her.

As I sat on the couch
a familiar face.
I stood and gave a hug,
held on as tight as I could.

As I stood giving the hug
tears from my eyes.
Tears for the loss,
tears for the sadness of my students.

As I walked out the door
a sense of anger.
Why someone so young?
What had she done?

As I opened my car door
a realization.
Her turn on earth was over
and it was her time to help others from above.