Tales Of The Old Town (Part 03) Poem by Kim Barney

A strange new girl moved into town;
she came from who knows where?
She tried to take her life one day;
she thought we didn't care.

We could have loved her like our own;
it was just circumstance.
She never talked to anyone,
did not give us a chance.

She moved away soon after that,
at least that's what was said.
I always thought we failed with her,
and felt she must be dead.

I'd never heard of anyone
who'd tried to take his life.
Each time I think of that poor girl,
it cuts me like a knife.

We were "Downwinders" at the time
but didn't have a clue.
The Government destroyed some lives
and messed up our health, too.

My best friend's father passed away
while he was in his prime,
and soon my mother followed him;
it was an awful time.

The Cancer that seized our small town
was so hard to believe.
So many people stricken down;
it was a time to grieve.

I can't be bitter any more;
though we got a raw deal.
It's time to close that dusty door;
it's time for me to heal.