Choices Kill

A poem

It wasn't my turn at bat
So when you called I returned
To the life of a single mother
To the day off I had earned

Told myself it was someone else's turn
I ignored the nagging doubts
That threatened my peace of mind
And refused to ignore the shouts

So many times this had happened
And I dropped everything for you
Only to arrive and realize
There were others to pull you through

So on this day I made nuggets
Watched Sesame Street with my son
And focused on being a mom
Instead of making that run

I finally gave in and went to you
Your daughter sent me home to stay
And when I finally saw you again
You were beginning to slip away

I sat and held your hand
Through every labored breath
And I'll never know if answering your call
May have postponed your death