Tonight I saw a shadow
Tonight I saw a shadow. It was inside the flames that leapt from the roof of a burning car. The world was silent around it, and I thought that this was odd. Where there are flames and cars there should be sirens and screaming. But there was not.
Why is there a fire on the highway? I wondered. My brain did a slow ticking motion and I seemed to have time to swallow and lick my lips between each word.
There was a shadow that shook inside the flames that leapt from the roof of the car. The shadow shivered and trembled. My eye was taken by its movement and I followed it to its root, the root buried in the heart of the flames.
I should not have looked.
But I did.
My eye took in what my brain refused to see.
All around was still and slow and the silence wrapped me up so I could not hear the screaming.
I turned for home.
My brain still cannot see what my eye took in.
Michael Alesich
Are you alright Anya?
anya
shocked and shaken, but otherwise unharmed. Thanks Michael.
PJ Ryan
this is a real account of something you witnessed tonight?
dear girl i’m so sorry .. horrific .. did you witness after a road accident?
anya replied
yes PJ, it was real and shocking and kind of obtusely numbing at the same time.
PJ Ryan
that’s a lot to deal with .. i hope you’re o.k .. did you meet with any authorities (fire/police) afterward? you might need to look into some couselling for this, so sorry you were there for that x
anya replied
I did my bit with the authorities, but there wasn’t much more I could add… thanks for your concern
ArcadiaTempest
Ohhh…Anya. As others have voiced I too am shocked by your experience….. I feel that you will know if you need to talk or write about this…...You will be ok sweetheart.XXX
anya replied
Thank you Arcadia. It was rattling, but reminds me of so much that I need to do and be.
lightsmith
The terrible things of life ….. we like to pretend that they don’t happen, or that we are somehow immune. But they do, and we can be so terribly affected by them – if we are decent, loving human beings. You are decent. You are loving. You are affected by them. That’s hard, and painful, but also wonderful. Because it means you are someone that is important to the world – we need those who care, who are affected by the terrors or torments of life. To become hardened and apathetic is to allow the world to become all that we do not like, do not want.
I hope and pray and wish so much that you will not be too much affected by the experience though. You are cared for on RB. Know that, at least.
anya replied
Thanks for your comment Lightsmith. I am loved and fortunate. I am comfortable and well looked after. Seeing this sight last night made me wake up this morning and see the crisp clarity of a winter’s day, and the joy on the breeze.
Solar Zorra
For whatever reason, you were meant to see that, and share it with us. I hope you can feel all the love going out to you. XOX
anya replied
thank you Solar. I felt the need to write something when I was in the throes of shock, and I feel the imagery settling now. It has made me reach out to the families involved in the accident.
Lisa Jewell
OMG…...horrific….
I do hope you are ok after witnessing such a scene…
anya replied
I am fine. I managed to get home and be there for my little one.