1977

I remember darkness and being the first driver
on the road behind them.I followed the curve to the left and
slowed down when I noticed they had not.I remember the front of their
car crumpled around the telephone pole, and the gurgling response
to my attempted conversation with the passenger.I can see the driver
getting out of the car and spinning in circles in his futile attempts
at running away.And the faces of the neighbors peering through the glass
of the doors they refused to open when I begged for help.I remember the
police finally arriving and telling me everything was under control.

And I remember being so afraid of the dark for a long long time.