Crash of 1957

the crash of 1957
close to sending
us to heaven

unforgetable sound deafening
fright fueling disbelief
queasy aching pain

left behind to watch
all the people
untangling the mess

our 1957 light blue and white
plymouth station wagon
an accordion

body bolts sheared
other cars demolished
bloody injuries sharp bones

hard hit
hurting head
hospital visit tears

2010

unknown secretly
kept trauma
head stored

weekly visits
son nicks office
red laser adjustments

unwinding the puzzle
opening the stored
pain and fright

freeing me from
diluted unknown
trapped trauma


tears in the night
reliving
crash of 1957

body held
body released
adjusted