Sunday, 20 September 2020

Friday night


a one car crash at the charles cross junction 
cone zone closure at the intersection 
rain falls heavily on the black top 
traffic lights cycle go, amber, stop 
blue lights flashing, emergency 
fire and rescue cutting someone free 

onlookers hang from windows staring 
instagram twitter snapchat sharing 
police collect witness statements 
rain continues with no abatement 
lights reflect of the slick tarmac 
shattered glass and a broken roof rack 

teen drunk driver stands obdurate 
his passenger not so fortunate 
girlfriend rushed to the a and e 
driver is a walking casualty 
not so worried she was nearly killed 
more concerned about the drink he spilled 

fluorescent yellow jacketed men 
measure the scene, then measure again 
wreckage cleared within the hour 
blood washed away by the downpour 
clouds clear up and moon shines down 
on another friday night in town 


Steve Wheeler © 20 September, 2020


This poem was first published in Urban Voices by Steve Wheeler, Wheelsong Books, 2020.

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