It happened in Milan one summer night, While we were driving down a narrow street. A fender crashed -- the brakes froze to a stop Beneath the pressure of the driver's feet. I hurled my ire against the guilty one: "You should be taught to signal as you turn! At least put out your arm!" I cried at him. "You could have caused our car to overturn!" At first the man was silent, then he spoke: "Sorry." he said, "to cause you such alarm. You did not see it, for the night is dark, But as I turned, @3I did@1 but out my arm. Please take my license number and my name -- I hope you will forgive and understand. I was a soldier once somewhere in France ... My left arm is a stub. I have no hand." I could not speak. The words choked in my throat. I did not take his number, nor his name -- I turned the car against the dull-black night, My face averted to conceal my shame. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ALEXANDER THROCKMORTON by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOKEN AT A CASTLE GATE by DONALD (GRADY) DAVIDSON FRAGMENTS WRITTEN WHILE TRAVELING...A MIDWESTERN HEAT WAVE by JAMES GALVIN PEACE (2) by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |