Collision

All of the other cars
flashing past in the other lane
and the ones flowing
slowly forward and back
along with me in this lane
seem as simple as light.
They are made of knowledge.
Keep a fair distance and they pass
through the air easy as mosquitoes.

Today I made a foolish turn
and all the metal from every
automobile dropped down
heavy on every groaning spring.
The drums of the metal panels
thundered and all the glass
rattled in every door.
I let the car drift to the curb
like a body with a bad reason
for being aware of its bones.

I forced the door open
and took an unsteady step
out into a world stricken
with matter–all of it pressing,
grinding against the rest.