– 47 –

Breakdown

Broken down and left
behind in the margin of
a motorway, he walks the slim walk
in search of a phone, head down
ignoring the fast glances from
faultless cars he concentrates
on his feet, his strip of
road shaking and warm,
an armadillo without a shell.

He fears none of his friends
can tow him back, knows
it will take an organised stranger.