Stranger

On a Supermarket run,

I drive a little faster than

considered legal, find

a few black cars pootling along

so I start to overtake them

chasing fast with my radio on

until I get the idea– like a sudden dawn –

it’s a loss to race a funeral procession!

In the end I slow down the outside lane,

drive at 20 – respect their long line

until all falls away, even sound,

with my lumpy throat and tears running down

for a life that is flowing and a life that has flown;

a heart that is thudding, a heart that has gone.