Welcome To Existence Poem by Vanessa Hernandez

FREEZE TAG, JAWS, HIDE-AND-SEEK
GOOD NIGHT KISSES ON THE CHEEK
BASEBALL, KICKBALL, DAYS AT THE PARK
PLAYING IN THE STREET TILL IT GETS DARK
SLEEPOVERS, BIRTHDAYS, AND CLIMBING TREES
SLIDING INTO 2ND AND SCRAPING YOUR KNEES
CLUB HOUSES, BOARD GAMES, AND SESAME STREET
DRESS-UP, PLAYSCHOOL, AND TRICK-OR-TREAT
LULLABIES AND NURSERY RHYMES
BUILDING SNOWMEN AND EARLY BEDTIMES
INNOCENT THOUGHTS AND AN ANGELIC SMILE
STAYING UP LATE AND SLEEPING IN WHILE...
OUTSIDE A STORE IS BEING ROBBED
AROUND THE CORNER AN OFFICERS SHOT
UNDERAGE DRINKERS STRUGGLE TO DRIVE
THEY CRASH AND TAKE TWO INNOCENT LIVES
BOMBS ARE DROPPED ON THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ
TWO HOMELESS MEN SLEEP BACK-TO-BACK
A 15 YEAR OLD GIRL IS GIVING AWAY
WHAT SHE SAID SHED KEEP TILL HER WEDDING DAY
A SOPHOMORE BOY PICKS UP A GUN
AND SHOOTS AS FRANTIC STUDENTS RUN
A PLANE IS CRASHING DOWN TO THE BAY
A MOTHER TAKES HER OWN LIFE AWAY
BUILDINGS BURN AND PEOPLE DIE
REGRET MAKES A RUNAWAY FATHER CRY
AN ELDERLY WOMEN PASSES AWAY
AND A BABY OPENS HER EYES TO THE WORLD TODAY
A WORLD OF PSYCHOS, PERVES, AND CROOKS
UGLY STARES AND DIRTY LOOKS
SMOKING, DRINKING, AND SUICIDES
DRUGS, MURDERS, FIGHTS, AND LIES

welcome to existence