Sign of Life Poem by Cara Alson

Sign of Life

Taxi at a standstill

surrounded by pedestrians

crushed fifteen deep

drooling monsters

straining to glimpse

a pedestrian trapped

under the wheels

no sign of life

Rescue arrives but

can’t get through

the monsters won’t budge

might miss something

the last twitch of life

“He must’ve been a drunk”

they shake their heads

oh, look at the time..

have an appointment..

shoes on sale..

must be going..

On their way

to busy lives

in a busy city

too busy to weep

for a poor soul crushed

under the wheels

no sign of life

Copyright 2001