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The Accident

~ by Gregg Rowe ~




Part One:  What I Heard

university students bustle towards
the Metro near de Maisonneuve and Guy
shouting excitements
of a new semester starting and
innuendos of one night stands
wheels like a skateboard
scratch against the asphalt
scream a pitch in my ears
a whimper whispers
then a thud


Part Two:  What I Saw

grey cumulus clouds swim in
the covered autumn afternoon air
cross the intersection at
de Maisonnueve and Guy to catch my metro
a flash of silver accelerates
a black spot flies
in the smog fog autumn air
hits the asphalt
with an escaping whimper
frozen watching the thud


Part Three:  What Really Happened

a silver BMW
like the grey autumn clouds
runs a red light
accelerating
a Montréal jaywalker
dashes diagonally across
the city intersection
with a pitching whisper
and a heavy thud
hits the asphalt






Author notes

Today I witnessed a man being hit by a car crossing the street during rush hour.  I wanted to record it in the three different aspects that I witnessed it because time just stopped for the two seconds it took to witness this scene.
Written September 19th, 2004

In a list

A contest entry

What did you think

    I plan to revise this poem: please leave constructive criticism!
    : , Your review:

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Comments

1 - 10 of 10
  • Ms. Trick
    July 19, 2005
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    Gorgeous. Something like a day that's colder than it ought to be but feels about right to you.

    Thanks for entering!

    trick


  • General Watson
    July 15, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Ooo. I like it. And I hate cars. But I like this. Because it's about a car, but it's not entirely about a car. I'll stop rambling, and get to the point. Cool concept and nicely written (Although some of it I didn't entirely understand, but still got the jist). Good luck with the contest.


  • -thepoorepoet-
    May 8, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    This is absolutely awesome...a beautiful perspective in which to write on reality. I found myself thinking of a little video I have watched several times on the web...supposedly of a man getting hit by a car...crazy video. This poem paints the picture perfectly...I can almost see the college students and the one-night stand adventures... Good luck in the contest.


  • Empathy-eyes
    September 19, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    This is an incredible piece, and a powerful insight into an accident. I like the layout of this; recording one incident into three aspects. Sorry you had to see that happen, the tragic thing is that it happens every day. Sighs. Thank you for sharing this talented piece. Take care and much empathy. Kate


  • Kethry
    September 19, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    What an excellent witness you'd make if it wasn't for your poetic bent and the fact no one wants to remember something like that. Very different and vivid take on an accident.


  • Kristen Corpse
    September 19, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    Extremely powerful! Very well done! Amazing imagery (to me anyway). Keep it up!


  • Xx Alice xX
    September 19, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    I have a poem about watching an accident too. And time does stand still. Seems as if all bodily functions stop.


  • layla.
    September 19, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    i think this was a sudden shock of some kind to you. it happens when you witness an unwelcoming scene like accident. i can relate to your words as i have witnessed many things myslef.
    and about the poem, i'll only say that your writing was excellent! and relax things like these happen!
    ~~ille


  • wishintreeUK
    September 19, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    brilliant write

    A brilliant idea Greg the way you have gone about penning this poem. It's amazing how we tend to see things in the blink of an eye, our senses all catch something of the moment, even thought things can happen so very fast. I do think the background you have here is very beautiful! Best Wishes always my dear friend. ~Katie~


  • JesSiCa RabBiT
    September 19, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    Wow, what an incredibly powerful poem, the way things can seem so different to what they really were, i actually stopped, breathless, at the end of this poem and found my face to be white, this poem really bought to home the horror of something terrible like this and it is disturbing yet very moving, the imagery that in conjures is very powerful although perhaps a little painful, it only helps to drive home the point of the poem, a brilliant, though disturbing piece. well done <3

1 - 10 of 10