the highway

drifting in a sea of dreams
I came across
a child

happy and laughing
perched and peering
out the rear window

watching the rain-slicked road
as it ran
away

there was Butch
sitting at the side
laughing, tail wagging

saying goodbye
with a bark

then came the truck
monster of dark

swerving
roaring
leaving

a crumpled heap of fur
on the roadside

slamming on the brakes
my father swore
my mother cried

and I
with silent screams
pressed against the glass

my father called a man
who came

gun in hand

warm wood and
cold-slicked metal

thunder

my dog lies dead

and I
not knowing what it was

this gun

wished to condemn it to
the deepest hells
and the man
the monster
with it

for days I cried
and spoke
not a word
lying in a darkness
of soul
and spirit

my feet against the wall
my parents' bed to my back

I came across
the nightmare
of a child

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: Canada

Comments

Janice Pearce

16 years 10 months ago

the highway

Very well written, Interesting, and the death of a boys dog I thought to be very good~ ______________________________________________________ Income-tax forms should be more realistic by allowing the taxpayer to list "Uncle Sam" as a dependent Anonymous

Godweed

16 years 10 months ago

actually I'm a girl

Thank you for commenting on my first poem (submitted, not written) - much appreciate your words.

Rett

16 years 10 months ago

Virginia, Horrific story

I have been through it before also. I still miss Fred, my big old mutt that was my best buddy and a great football player. He would run neck in neck with my oldest boy when he would go out for a pass. When the ball touched my sons hands, Fred would cut between his legs and be on top of him when he hit the ground! I had to chain him because he was friends with our mailman and used to make the rounds on our street with him. One day he had a replacement and Fred went out to make the rounds with him and the new guy used mace on him. It took the wife and I both to pull Fred off the guy. After that no one in a uniform was safe. One day he broke the chain and jumped the side fence. The broken chain caught and it hung him. I still blame that mailman. Now, as far as the poem goes, it is very poignant and good! Loved it. Good to see you here and posting! Been a while since I have seen your poetry. Respectfully, Rett: "Next time you think you're perfect, walk on water." Rett

Godweed

16 years 10 months ago

oh my gosh

I can't believe you never told me that story... or maybe that was after we lost touch. how heartbreaking. I'll never forget my confusion, the shock... that dark rainy night changed my worldview. my first taste of violence and death. glad you liked it. was nervous!