morning
wake up
someone is knocking at your door
you live in the country
and it is saturday
you do not usually
get guests at such an early hour
you do not wake up
with great speed
but once awake hear voices
and knocking
as you descend the steps
and get closer to the door
the voices get louder
they are screaming
you open the door
to two strangers
one of them a young woman
she is covered in blood
completely covered
she is crying for help
and trying to explain
there has been an accident
the man with her is silent
he is bleeding from a wound
on the top of his head
you cannot fathom what might have happened
they look like they have suffered through
an atomic explosion - a plane crash - hell itself
you invite them into the kitchen
and begin to tend their wounds
your husband races out to the road
to see what can be done
police and ambulance are sent for
puddles form on the kitchen floor
the sun comes up through the window
Copyright© michael dennis/Pulp Press Book Publishers 1988