Sport 23: Spring 1999
In the Option of Daylight
In the Option of Daylight
The fire came later.
It seemed scarcely possible in the first fraction
of time after detonation,
your head flung back into the seat.
Time had stopped. In the second fraction
noise returned or, perhaps, simply caught up.
Why was the tree across the bonnet, and
why was the car stopped at all?
Questions swooped around the roof before
heading for the door. You went to get out.
A man was there, arms reaching to you.
You did not move. Something about your foot
on the pedals
joined to the compelling brake.
And the fire came later, although later
seemed so little time. The voice said Jesus
and moved away from where you could see.
The shapes and colours were bloody astounding.