PLEASE GOD I’M ONLY 17 (Originally Printed In A Dear Abby Column)
The day I died was an ordinary school day. How I wish I had taken the bus! But I was too cool for the bus. I remember how I wheedled the car out of mom. “Special favor,” I pleaded. “All the kids drive.” When the 2:50 bell rang I threw all my books in the locker. I was free until 8:40 tomorrow morning! I ran to the parking lot, excited at the thought of driving a car and being my own boss. Free!
It doesn’t matter how the accident happened. I was goofing off – going to fast. Taking crazy chances. But I was enjoying my freedom and having fun. The last thing I remembered was passing an old lady who seemed to be going awfully slow. I heard a deafening crash and felt a terrible jolt. Glass and steel flew everywhere. My whole body seemed to be turning inside out. I heard myself scream…
Suddenly unawakened: it was very quiet. A police officer was standing over me. Then I saw a doctor. My body was mangled. I was saturated with blood. Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over. Strange that I couldn’t feel anything.
Hey, don’t pull that sheet over my head! I can’t be dead. I’m only 17. I’ve got a date tonight. I’m supposed to grow up and have a wonderful life. I haven’t lived yet. I can’t be dead.
Later I was placed in a drawer. My folks had to identify me. Why did they have to see me like this? Why did I have to look at Mom’s eyes when she faced the most terrible ordeal of her life? Dad suddenly looked like an old man. He told the man in charge, “Yes, he is my son.”
The funeral was a weird experience. I saw all my relatives and friends walk toward the casket. They passed by, one by one, and looked at me with the saddest eyes I’ve ever seen. Some of my buddies were crying. A few of the girls touched my hand and sobbed as they walked away.
Please – somebody – wake me up! Get me out of her be! I can’t bear to see my mom and dad so broken up. My grandparents are so racked with grief they can hardly walk. My brother and sisters are like zombies. They move like robots. In a daze, everybody. No one can believe this. And I can’t believe it, either.
Please don’t bury me! I’m not dead! I have a lot of living to do! I want to laugh and run again. I want to sing and dance. Please don’t put me in the ground. I promise if you give me just one more chance, God, I’ll be the most careful driver in the whole world. All I want is one more chance!
Please, God, I’m only 17!
Nicole • Oct 29, 2023 at 8:13 am
I read this a couple of years ago and for some reason it came to my mind again. I have an 18 year old son and he was in two car accidents. He hit a van from behind and the first one this year in August the second one was in September he hit a pole thank God he was not killed or hurt. But my son is only 18. He has not lifted his life yet. I worry for him and this article hits home especially knowing my son was in too car accidents and thank God he was not hurt
Tracie • Oct 3, 2023 at 1:28 am
Read this in my speech and drama class in high school back in 1990. Still just as relevant now that I have kids driving age over 30 years later.
Delilah salazar • Jul 30, 2023 at 2:29 pm
I remember when this first came out, but it was called. Please, God, I’m only 13. And it was somewhat different, but for the most part, the same if that makes any sense. This is just a remake of it, and they change the words around a little having to do with the car accident, the other one. It was about a 13 year old boy walking through the wrong neighborhood.
Sandra • Jun 10, 2023 at 11:26 am
I’m 59 years old I remember when this came out in the news paper we had just lost some kids in a wreck now I have grandkids and I want them to read this maybe it will stick with them like it has me all these years
Jeffrey Grubstein • Jun 10, 2023 at 10:44 am
I had a speech class in College and wrote a speeck about the safety of driving. I ended it with this. Not a dry eye in the class. Got an A+.
YVONNE WIPPEL • Apr 23, 2023 at 1:16 pm
I first read this when my mom said ” Drive like it your life depends on it because it does. ” Drivers Ed and any driving school should read this before the students get a license to drive. I have 2 grown daughters now and I always tell them
Never drive faster than your guardian angle can fly. Be safe and stay safe means a lot.
Lani • Nov 3, 2022 at 4:50 am
This was my winning piece wayback my highschool and college years joining a declamation contest. This gives me goosebumps, and i really get into character delivering this piece that”s why i won first place🏆🏆🥇🥇🥇🏆🏆🏆
Tom Cortis • May 3, 2022 at 10:02 am
I read this for the first time when I was 17 I am now 55 and still get tears in my eyes. I have used this to help my 4 daughters understand the dangers of driving fast and not paying attention. I think parents need to share this with their teenagers now more than ever. Back when I first started driving we didn’t have cell phones as they do now and I think cell phones are the main thing that distracts a teenage driver.
Nicole • Oct 29, 2023 at 8:17 am
I share this with my son. He recently got in a car accident with his Mustang because he was driving too fast and hit a pole. Thank God he was not killed I sent it to him so I hope he reads it.
joel maldonado • May 23, 2021 at 2:15 pm
I’m 53 years old now and can remember when i was 17 did i ever drvie fast? yes i did, did i ever have road rage yes i did, but this poem still makes me cry everytime i read it, i’m so glad i had parents who cared enough for me when i first started driving, always staying up late waiting for me until i got home, hey kids have fun but remember driving fast and not obeying traffic signs an fatal!
Jody Wilke • Feb 6, 2020 at 10:33 pm
Every teenage driver who that they’re able to text and drive, or drink and drive, etc., should read this! Kids shouldn’t get their driver’s license until they’re 21, because when they’re in high school, they’re not able to concentrate on their driving, or anything else!