I’ll get in first, she said
my grandmother
I got in beside her
in the back
we were on our way
to a family wedding
joking and laughing
but the sudden roar
from the rear
rending steel
pushed forward
collided
swivelled back
came to rest
a moment’s silence
I wailed hysterical
she was silent, my grandmother
leaning right down
quiet and still
I saw her neck
quiet and still
no door in the back
no way out, not yet
I was pulled out
petrol dripping
who did this, asked the driver
I did, said a young man
her head was perched, my grandmother
someone had lifted her
head perched
on the back
of the front seat
blood draining
quiet and still

Copyright Sandra Roe