on reflection
cold and wintry day
same work
same place
she –
driving to work
immersed with thoughts of the day to come
driving to work
immersed with thoughts of the day to come
he –
driving from work
immersed in thought from the day just done
driving from work
immersed in thought from the day just done
announcements vague radio crackles
urge caution; snow, ice, rain
Inexplicably
she – not in control
split-second suddenness
the oncoming vehicle, the impact
consciousness obliterated – only silent darkness
Inexplicably
he –
split-second suddenness
the oncoming vehicle, out of control
crushing impact
consciousness obliterated – silent darkness
she – unconscious, “jaws of life,”
paradoxical
extricating still cargo
oh so carefully
hurry
frantic lights flashing, wailing, streaking, swirling, rushing to aid
he – dimly aware, jaws of life
wrenching doors apart
extricating immobile cargo
oh so carefully
hurry
frantic lights, rushing, wailing, strangers, repeated questions
orders barkedsurgical scissors, tubes, needles, invasive equipment
cacophony of activity
minutes morph to hours…
the doctor’s pronounce
she –
“…so sorry”
such cold finality
time and signature noted
for the record
the doctor’s pronounce
he –
“you…very lucky”
notes
entered in the record
she –
everything has halted
community gathers round
distraught confused numb
a surreal blur
kind but unheard
words are spoken
he –
in pain, in shock
harsh welcome reminders
of life continuing
reunion
relief, joy, gentle admonishment
Luck?
she –
it has run out
he –
not yet
or perhaps…
something else
“When traumatic events are very similar but have dramatically opposite outcomes – death vs. survival and recovery – we can find ourselves searching for elusive answers.” Eckhard Goerz wrote this poem several years after two similar highway car accidents happened to him and a co-worker within weeks of each other. He is a recently retired health administrator, policy developer, and social worker. He was CEO of Eden Health Care Services from 2001–2008. A husband, father, and grandfather, Eckhard and his wife Joyce are affiliated with Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg.
