Hit and No Run 1995

“MY MOTHER!” she screamed
“MY MOTHER!!”
arms and breasts
from worn shoes to brown curled head
bosom pulled close
a soft face clenched
once a heart beat
a strong, reliable, steady
heart-beat
warm
forever there
to pick up the pieces
forever there
to pick up strewn clothing,
tea cups, homework, toys
forever there
to lift the spirits
Mummy, mum, ma
drifting, fading
gone
“MOTHER!!” she screamed
the wailing tones
ringing round the roses in my head
simple homely petals
falling through the abyss
lying in the road
where all the world
and it’s absent Gods
couldn’t miss
stricken
slain
tears on raw knees
arms tensed and fingers clasped
a broken life
a broken mind
“MOTHER!” roared again
childhood dispersing
strangers come standing
fluorescent jackets arriving
gravel stones breaking the layers of skin
a tarmac deathbed
questions about next-of-kin
the driver shaking
empty word muttered
static pale eyes
regret regret regret
empty words stammer
“what have I done?”
“what have I done?”
“oh my God, what have I done?”