Suspended In Time Poem by Diana Newsome

From the corner of my eye
on coming, perilous
with a split second to spare
foot reaches for accelerator
in slow~motion
suspended in time
metal on metal
foreboding
deafening
crashing in rippling sound
ringing in ears
moments teetering on edge
spinning out of control
life flashing
playback in segments gone by
thrashing body
thrown against seconds
thrown into nothingness
weightlessness
jerking to a complete stop
eyes flutter open
resting in on coming traffic...

people, voices
are you alright?
are you hurt?
not so sure
where am I?
He asks me, 'can you move your arms?
what day is it?
what is your name?
You've been in an accident.'
Hot tears stream over my face...

We have got to move this vehicle off of the road.

Police, Fire Personnel, Evac
(this is surreal)
Can this vehicle be driven?
Pull it over there.

Body aches
inching up shoulders and neck
left knee swells
chest reeling from impact with steering wheel
refusing ambulance
signing report.

Vehicle is lifted onto tow truck to be transported to Pratt Towing.

slumping into vehicle
finding self in submission
racked with pain
no broken bones, thankfully
finally home...

Allowing remnents and dread to be slowly washed away.
I will go to the hospital tomorrow,
just not today.


Copyright 12/10/2005