They Are Together Now

by

Luci Tapahonso


they were returning from Gallup late at night
singing with the radio and laughing
he was driving too fast     too fast
he missed the curve
the crash    the immediate silence
they whimpered as
the warm blood spread into the cold asphalt cracks
amidst the glass and tangled metal     their bodies writhed
moaning and crying until they rose above
they left then     watching in silence
oh     the soothing silence
the incredible serenity
they rose     leaving the steaming blood
ticking of metal settling down
the tinkle of glass slipping
the tin whine of a dying radio
they gather with others now
in the thin darkness
airy, light ghosts     sometimes they talk laughing
standing in little groups
waiting to befriend anyone
who might happen along
they are happy
on the flat plateau of that other world:     death
that quiet pleasure
they are all together now.


From A Breeze Swept Through by Luci Tapahonso, West End Press.
© 1987 Luci Tapahonso

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