Analysis of Kathy Valentine

The 70’s, the Texas heat
Kema Pasadena Galveston Beach
Snapshots of a young life lived so long ago
Triggered by a sound a smell a thought, who knows

Taken back to a specific time and place
I’m in elementary school no more than 7 or 8
Block by block, stop after stop
The kids single file step down and off

The school bus lurches forward,
A large thump, then screams
The driver ran over a young girl
A horrible accident, how can this be?

Some cry as we wait wondering, who and why?
I exit the bus as blood stains the road
A sheriff’ drapes his coat covering
Somebody’s daughter, someone I know

She left this world, but she never left me
Her shocking death is burnt into my memory
Such a short life and not enough time
For sweet little Kathy Valentine