Heaven's Playground Poem by Marie WardAlonge

One day we were laughing
The next day we were not.
I heard my friend had been shot.
We were just little girls.
Trying to grow up in a violent world.

Life then should have been carefree.
We were not even concerned about the birds and the bees.
We should have been children at ease.
We came to school to learn and sometimes to get tease.

Just the day before, we were watching others play marbles for a dime.
I was only nine.
We were joking.
Who knew it would be our last time.

I told her I would see her tomorrow.
I didn't know the next day I would experience great sorrow.
When I came to school, I heard the news.
She was shot by a relative.
We were all confused.

Shot by accident, we soon discovered.
Just seeing her beautiful smile yesterday,
I knew I would not fully recover.

My friend was gone-I was a child.
I wondered why?
I wanted to react but some reason I could not cry.
Today, I believe I was in shock.
My friend dying-my reality was rocked.

For many years, I carried the hurt and the pain.
There was no one I wanted to discuss it.
Sadly, it was her love ones I blamed.

It was a tragic lesson to learn not to play with guns
Especially around kids.
Our families are our protectors.
Guns in the house-they should forbid.

Honoring her memories, I hope she is proud.
D.B., one day I hope to see you on that great white cloud.
We did not get a chance to say goodbye.
I can imagine her smiling at me from heaven's playground
As she winkles her eye.