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Another Year Away
by Jeffrey ParrenNine years ago today
I almost died
in a car accident
driving to work 3 hours early
because plans were cancelled.
I was going to show up
a little later than usual
but earlier than expected.
"No good deed goes unpunished."
The rain-soaked roads
seemed innocent enough
until I hydroplaned
and got T-boned
by a Buick.
Now I sell T-bone
Porterhouse steaks.
Of course it rained
all day yesterday
and reminded me.
It seems to always rain
around this time
making me relive the events.
Car sliding
hands grasped on the steeling wheel
I thought I was dreaming
suddenly
cars colliding
next moment I hear rain
and the next I am on the ground
wet with a red hand under my head.
The hand belonged
to an off-duty EMT
there to save my day.
I was carted off
to endure pain for months
with
broken ribs
punctured lung
punctured diaphragm
lacerated head
fractured pelvis.
April 21 - August 8
I did not walk.
I hopped or hobbled.
On blood thinners
for nearly a year.
Now I am left to reflect
for another day
another year away.
04/21/2009 Author's Note: Just a stream. Not sure how or where to finish so it just happened.
Posted on 04/21/2009
Copyright © 2024 Jeffrey Parren
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 04/21/09 at 06:58 PM I'd almost think about cutting that last stanza. I'm not even sure you need it. The thing I like about this is the way it seems to be forever stopping and going. There's a great disjointed feel to this. |
| Posted by Mary Frances Spencer on 04/21/09 at 09:09 PM wow...it tells your story. sounds painful...congrats on your recovery! MFS |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 04/22/09 at 12:53 AM Glad you made it OK. But then never having been through anything like that I have no idea how your body responds as time passes. But at least you're here to write about it and other things. |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 04/22/09 at 09:47 PM Quite a traumatic event - I'm glad you are here to write about it. I'm not sure if this is finished either, but maybe it's simply something to get down whatever comes into your mind on this particular anniversary. To life, I say! |
| Posted by Glenn Currier on 08/16/09 at 12:26 AM I have been fortunate to have avoided an accident in which I was seriously injured, but have had enough experience with the dreaded sound of metal on metal and metal on rocky road to remember it with a little fear even now as I write. I can't imagine the post-traumatic impact of rainy days, "that time of year" and the many other reminders. By the way, you may think your poem is unfinished, but the truth is... the impact of such a life-changing event is probably never finished either. Thanks for writing. |
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