oil swirling 

dancing and in hand

with dirty water

ripple down the street

 

a screeching tire

splashing and skids

on the empty, black road

disturbing dance

 

the engine pumped faster, the gray sky smiled in turn

the tire hopped a curb, then flew from the ground

 

the tire clashed with the earth

mud splattered the clean paint

the car rushes to gain an inch

the engine refuses to lose

 

leaves rustle past the windows

branches claw the sides

the shades of greens and browns

swirl into an intensity of nothingness

 

the rain beats on the hood

the car slams into a tree

the tree groans and pushes back

the engine dies

 

the man inside is silenced 

a red stream flows from his forehead 
dripping down to form a pool at his feet

the trees lean closer to stare