Backstory. My mother was in a bad car accident six months ago today. After a broken arm that did not heal, surgery, and recovery we finally got her a new vehicle last week and today was the first time she has driven. I was grateful for cell phones on that night.
Backstory. My mother was in a bad car accident six months ago today. After a broken arm that did not heal, surgery, and recovery we finally got her a new vehicle last week and today was the first time she has driven. I was grateful for cell phones on that night.
My phone, though silenced, vibrates
An unfamiliar number on the screen
Me knowing the second I pick it up
Something is very wrong.
“Your mother has been in an accident”
Says a calm voice.
“She’s conscious” the only information given
Help is on the way.
Driving the dark rural roads
Ten miles never felt so long.
Calling your number even though you could not answer
Karri, this is such a beautiful, spare telling of your experience, and even with few words, the emotion and intensity are palpable. Like they are felt in what’s left unsaid - “she’s conscious,” they only information given. I’m so glad you’re mom is doing better and hope that the emotional scars of this terrifying experience continue to heal for both of you! ❤️
Wow, Karri - thanks for sharing this poignant, poetic snippet of what must have been a traumatic experience for you and your mom ("She's conscious" the only information given - this line felt like a blow in my body). So glad to know she has recovered, and I hope you have too. I also hope writing this poem helped release some of the holding of a big, scary memory.
I love this, Karri, and love that your mom is driving again and healing. Your poem is a wonderful reminder of how invaluable these little computers and linkages can be in times of great need, and to record the horrors the powers would rather us not see!
Whew boy, this is such a visceral one. I could feel the panic of that unfamiliar number and knowing it's bad news, the interminable 10 miles, and the relief of finally reaching your mom and getting to be there for her. I got choked up at the end -- so beautiful, Karri. Big congrats to your mom on her new car and getting behind the wheel again!
Backstory. My mother was in a bad car accident six months ago today. After a broken arm that did not heal, surgery, and recovery we finally got her a new vehicle last week and today was the first time she has driven. I was grateful for cell phones on that night.
My phone, though silenced, vibrates
An unfamiliar number on the screen
Me knowing the second I pick it up
Something is very wrong.
“Your mother has been in an accident”
Says a calm voice.
“She’s conscious” the only information given
Help is on the way.
Driving the dark rural roads
Ten miles never felt so long.
Calling your number even though you could not answer
Hoping to hear your voice.
Red and blue lights strobe up ahead
Running across the busy highway as traffic slows.
“I’m here” I say
Grateful my number was in your phone.
Karri, this is such a beautiful, spare telling of your experience, and even with few words, the emotion and intensity are palpable. Like they are felt in what’s left unsaid - “she’s conscious,” they only information given. I’m so glad you’re mom is doing better and hope that the emotional scars of this terrifying experience continue to heal for both of you! ❤️
Wow, Karri - thanks for sharing this poignant, poetic snippet of what must have been a traumatic experience for you and your mom ("She's conscious" the only information given - this line felt like a blow in my body). So glad to know she has recovered, and I hope you have too. I also hope writing this poem helped release some of the holding of a big, scary memory.
Thank you Keith. I had trying writing about it before but it was the trigger of the prompt and the cell phone that finally pulled it together!
I love this, Karri, and love that your mom is driving again and healing. Your poem is a wonderful reminder of how invaluable these little computers and linkages can be in times of great need, and to record the horrors the powers would rather us not see!
Whew boy, this is such a visceral one. I could feel the panic of that unfamiliar number and knowing it's bad news, the interminable 10 miles, and the relief of finally reaching your mom and getting to be there for her. I got choked up at the end -- so beautiful, Karri. Big congrats to your mom on her new car and getting behind the wheel again!
Thanks! She went to Walmart by herself to get her groceries yesterday - yay!
The downbeat to so many berserk codas
is that dang phone call.
Wooof. Thanks for sharing this tuff one
I'm so happy to know that you both made it to the other side of this night. The intensity of it is palpable in your poem.