Thomas Bates



Letter To A Hit-and-run Motorist


I am writing to let you know
I believe in you despite the claims
of carelessness made against you

I was standing at the four-way
when the milk truck flipped
and the bottles burst like scared chickens

I saw you swerve to miss the kid
holding the screwdriver
to his own throat

the headless steel post
and the flat red octagon
flashing in the middle of the road

Despite the circumstances
sometimes it is important for us
to understand our limits

at these rustic intersections
we must accept the events
and not turn back.