Little Things

From a store window We watched a woman hit by a car Wearing a bright summer dress She moved in short staccato steps In a desperate dance to stay alive Hands reaching out To no one. Saw the driver’s face Anger and impatience None of us believed that a life could be over This suddenly. Sirens wailed in the background Announcing what was to come Gaze anchored in the distance She held my hand We begged her to hold on. After it was over we stood up Forming an impromptu circle In the street A father and his eight year old daughter A middle aged woman And myself Strangers until this time All speaking at once Awkward handshakes A timid pat on the back. Still holding her father’s hand The eight year old looked beyond our circle Not listening Not hearing The sadness in her eyes Told us what we didn’t want to know Sweet innocence Of a little girl Was lost forever.