Open Wound (2)

She is about nine dressed for school
her uniform is a shade of dark navy
pleated skirt shirt tie and cardigan
her hair is shoulder length tangled
her skull is ripped open red gaping
she is unconscious her arm flinging
I stare in a deep shock immobilized
my eyes are drawn into that deep red
precise red bare deep forehead wound
clean gaping open red cavern space
Sister barks and orders me around
this is my first day in emergency
nurse get bandages lots of them now
I run the cupboard door is jammed
as the breath in me in fear jammed
The priest is comforting the parents

My tears came later in the hallway
I was crying for the memory of David
We found him under the back wheel
of the car it was dark thank God
we did not see his shattered skull
memory is a paradise with no escape