I glimpsed her a moment only
like a silver wraith at the edge
of the windshield. Then she vanished
and I thought I must be shaken
from the incident even though I
naturally assumed I was not.
If I were conscious, I was fine.
I was fine enough to shake that fool
drunk in the pickup until her ears flapped
if I could get hold of her and then I just might
smash my fist into her face.
Kicking, I shouldered the door, paused, fearing suddenly
to harm the tree more. I could smell the cow chewing and
eyeing me beyond a wire fence.

There she was again, just by the door, bending down to see my face.
"Are you hurt?"


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