He Hit That Tree

With his eyes closed there are patterns
The same as when he was a kid
Curliecues of inner light
Playing on the backs of his eyelids

Only now the lights are brighter
And pulsing like the raging sea
Everything is somehow different
Ever since he hit that tree

He hit that tree and he hit it good
Should used an axe if he wanted firewood
He’s older now and wiser still
If the impact don’t get you then the vertigo will

You got your bodies in motion
You got your bodies at rest
His body it was flying
Like wild geese migrating in the west

They found his bike
Wrapped around that tree
He was lying on the pavement
Helmet shattered he could barely see

He hit that tree and he hit it good
Should used an axe if he wanted firewood
He’s older now and wiser still
If the impact don’t get you then the vertigo will

© 2005, Kyle Alden