Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Driving down Buckley Hall Road in Mathews, I’ve recently had several near misses—cars driving over the center line or pulling out in front of me. Each time I see a cellphone in their hand. That is what prompted me to pen this poem. Interestingly, it is also National Poetry Month and Distracted Driving Awareness Month so this is timely! I can’t think of any text that is so important to lose your life over, or cause someone else to lose theirs.

Not again!

One more funeral to attend

Everyone says Oh not again!

Not another one; will it end?

More obituaries are penned

How terrible to lose a friend

Takes a long time for hearts to mend

They hang their head, say what a shame

Then they drive and text just the same

Is it worth risking broken bones

Just to text ‘lol’ on your cellphones?

So engrossed in that lengthy call

Was it important after all?

Can’t resist glancing at that text

And then their funeral is next

With cell phones plastered to your ear

That warning honk you did not hear

You lost control on that blind curve

Caused the other driver to swerve

What will it take to make you stop?

Maybe a rescue squad or cop...

That silly text could have waited

Now your parents are sedated

One more funeral to attend

Everyone says Oh not again!

Julie Patrick Clark

Hudgins, Va.