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A Warm Night

I was invited to a party,
a few roads across town.
I thought I’d meet my friends there,
but they were not around.

So I hopped into my beat-up car,
ready for adventure.
My mom came racing to my door,
I was ready for my lecture.

Instead she told me softly,
to be careful that warm night.
I promised her that I’d drive safe,
that everything would be all right.

I arrived at the location,
and accepted a small drink.
I didn’t really want it,
but I didn’t stop to think.

Soon I was gulping cocktails,
feeling lighter with each sip.
And I felt so free, invincible,
as I swallowed the last drip.

The room was spinning freely,
as I danced across the floor.
And I wondered why I hadn’t ever
drank this much before.

Then, despite my happiness and fun,
my head began to ache.
I found my car keys in my purse,
‘cause my brain was going to break.

I stumbled across the gardens,
unlocked my beat-up car.
Started up the engine,
headed across town once more.

But something tragic happened,
I didn’t see the light.
I didn’t see the people, either,
crossing that warm night.

As I slid across the pavement,
I knew my time had come.
My head just kept on spinning,
all this for just some fun.

The next moments were quite hazy,
as I lay mangled in the car.
Pain shooting through my body,
never thought it’d go this far.

Heard sirens in the background,
rushing to my aid.
But as I closed my tired eyes,
I knew it was too late.

As I saw the world below me,
my heart just filled with dread.
I saw the people that I hit,
and knew that they were dead.

I cried so hard on that warm night,
as I floated through the sky.
Knowing that it was my fault,
and I never said good-bye.

Now I’m floating up to heaven,
where I really don’t belong.
Brought so much pain to others,
did something really wrong.

I killed six happy people
four kids, a man and wife.
And I’m lying in a coffin,
because I lost my precious life.

I see my mother’s upset face,
her eyes so filled with tears.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen,
that is exactly what I feared.”

I was just a normal teen,
who had too much to drink.
I had a boyfriend, did well in school,
but that night I didn’t think.

So the next time you’re invited
to a party with your friends,
Please remember this could be
the night when it could end.

I learned all this the hard way,
and made a terrible mistake.
So please don’t do what I did,
and drink as much as you can take.

I had so much before me,
a great future straight ahead.
I wanted to be an actress,
but I can’t because I’m dead.

It happened all so quickly,
didn’t even get to fight.
Didn’t know how fast my life could end,
I’ll always remember that warm night.

Sarah Woo © 2001 Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER

The Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Awareness does exercises limited editorial control over the information you may find on FRONTLINE STORIES web pages. Opinions expressed on FRONTLINE STORIES web pages do not necessarily represent the official views of The Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Awareness.

 

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