The sound of her breathing
Had faded away
As did the sound
Of her weary heart beating

Eyelids laid heavy
Against lifeless cheeks
So many mouths around her
Not one dared to speak

Her hands felt foreign
Too cold; too blue
Daddy softly whispered
"God say it's not true"

At 16 he should be teaching
Her exactly how to drive
Grasping his seatbelt
Praying for dear life

Instead he's left staring
At her name carved in stone
It's proof that his precious girl
Is never coming home

So he cries upon the earth
Where his daughter lies
Swallowed by the pain a parent
Feels when their child dies

He cries for all the years
She will never live
For all the tender love
She will never know or give

He cries for all the memories
She will never get to make
For her picture on his nightstand
His heart a constant ache

He cries for his little girl
Who will never have the chance to be
The beautiful young lady
Who turned 17.

-ARI