Accident

When I was six my father took my brother and I out to the park

to ride our motorcycle in circles.

My brother and I shared only one,

but my father had his own monster sized bike

that towered over me as I stood next to it

with my own

My father helped me power up the bike

and sent me driving

around and around making

giant circles around him and my brother

But I was only six,

drunk with delight

at the speed the wind blew my hair back.

Distracted I turned too suddenly,

racing toward the center of the circle,

straight towards my father and brother.

My brother, only four,

stood and watched as my bike roared closer and closer,

with me absolutely unable to help

Closer and closer I came,

and he looked up with big eyes,

not yet knowing enough to move.

Closer and closer I came,

until my bike was on top of him

My dad was screaming

and my brother was crying

and I crashed the bike to run back to him

The image stays with me

every time I close my eyes

of my baby brother lying on the

cold hard ground

I never rode again