A Quiet Place to Crash

[couchgrouch]

A Quiet Place to CrashSammy paid in dimes n quarters, then left that country storewith a microwave burrito, and a jug of porthe walked that winding two-lane, then sat behind an oakso wind from Cochise Mountain, couldn't stab him through his coathis belly warm with wine and beans, but he knew it wouldn't lasthe pulled up pillows of drifter's dreams, content he'd found a quiet place to crashwell, that road was rough in daylight, at night it was nearly blindcos shadows worked in shifts to, cover up the signsSammy dropped his dreams and bottle, when a Lexus hit that oakhis mind was blurry for a moment, in a cloud of wine n smokeSammy heard no skid...there'd been no brakes, that driver'd hit way too fastlike he'd had all he could take, and just wanted a quiet place to crashthat driver's legs were broke, Sam covered him with his coatafter pulling him from the glass and flameshe went to the store for help, then ran back by himselfand stayed with the driver till someone camethough lawyers and business partners, crowded the ICUSammy was the only person, the driver let in his roomthey just sat there in silence, and talked through prayer and tearssometimes silence is the message, lost hearts need most to hearin time that driver quit his job, and Sammy gave up wine at lastgrateful that hospital and God, gave them a quiet place to crash(c)2006 Robert George