Cradle
He blows through the stop into
The car and
Sedan: 1, Dirt bike: 0 his
Ride still chugging furiously on its
side thrown clear
Of him
I think he is dead
when I come here I think he is dead but
the shock wears thin and he roils as the pain tries to wrench
him onto his side his arm bones loose and unpiloted by
the shoulder and I
grind pavement into my kneecaps my shins to drop
and mom this stranger, I insist “Let’s be still together.” I place
my fingerstips to nest so gentle
his neck my thumbs beneath his ears the blood sludges
from the ostrich egg forming on his skull I point
to the neighbor and demand she call 911
I glare away
the good samaritan who tries to place a plush pillow
beneath his head his eyes dart
to lock With mine and we breathe
together in together
out
he wails I am reminded again
again
he is somebody’s baby
“What’s your favorite music?” I ask
“Can you hear the sirens? They’re nearly here.”
5 thoughts on "Cradle"
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I’ve been in this place a couple of times
I didn’t enjoy this poem
but it’s exactly perfect
A tough read, Renee, but so well done. The title is spot on.
Tough to read.
That biker was my mother’s son
on a four lane road, thank you
Thank you. From the heart of a mother’s son.
This is powerful writing. Thank you for writing it. The title is incredible.
This is a powerful piece of writing