midday heat conjures miasmas
from the victim who smiles skyward,
rictus cocked, drooling on the yellow stripe,
empty eyes looking different directions,
in tire tread
there is being, demise, vivacity, mortality;
sons daughters mothers fathers
friends acquaintances self—
mounds of earth, urns, carved stones—
damnation, salvation, ruination, redemption
the rearview mirror frames a procession,
attendants in black strut over their treasures,
pick tufts of fur from pavement.
