Safety

The painted yellow rectangles on the curb,
marking the bus stop at UNM,
read "Safety Zone".

Some people found the sign puzzling,

So to clarify,
they repainted all of the curbs to read,
"Do not stand in safety zone."

I want to be in the safety zone.

Safe for now, safe for today.
Safe for tomorrow.
Safe from being hit by a truck.

We can't be safe for ever.

I tried to be safe,
so I pushed the walk button,
and patiently waited at the  curb.

Safe for today.

Five minutes more or less sitting at my desk,
means nothing, except
when you have a meeting with a truck.

Safe for the moment.

The truck came careening around the corner,
workman in a tear for that Friday beer,
at the end of his manual labor week.

Be safe.

One step less, oblivion;
one step more, stunned relief.
At the 23rd second, I saw the truck.

Be careful. 

In animated slow motion
I watched the truck approach,
its side mirror striking my forehead.

God bless you.

Knocked down but not out,
bashing skull,
tearing hamstring.

Via con dios.

What were you doing in the middle of the road?
I was in the cross walk watching
the seconds count down,  not the street.

Hasta la vista.

Gone back to j-walking now.