CLOCKS OF RAIN

–are you all right are you hurt can you move how clearly men speak
through the blown-out window undo the seat belt undo the seat belt
and fall headfirst into the rain pulled from a wrecked car the side
of the road scarlet apples rolling here there each one a miniature
emergency a loop of cord a coat a scattering of glass hands shaking
water running down someone’s face dark trees behind a van
brushwork on a Chinese screen a fire truck police car glaze of rain
this is where it happened an ambulance with its doors opening
into a throat of darkness–

Stops.

It stops–

Upside down,
he’s moaning, blood in his hair.
Broken glass

grinds in my mouth.

Smashed air.The many clocks

of rain, slapping wipers jerk and lift of the tires the car silkily
veering off the wrong way on a wet road a long, vertiginous descent
frenzy of wipers this is how it comes gracefully the end of things
a guardrail a ditch a life closing with a little sound a click nothing
to fear brace hard the car slams into the rail on the driver’s side
hooks metal flips hurtles down the highway on the roof the wheels
spinning like a chase of deer–

Stops.

It stops–

inside out bones showing against shadow white puzzle pieces
nestled one against the other delicate skull wide-open jaw sinuous
length of spine in the hospital a doctor traced

smashed air. The many clocks

many voices are you all right are you hurt can you move how clearly
men speak ...