Angels In the Night

I can remember it like it was yesterday.....

Listening to a hard rock "all-night" radio station,
boppin' back from college to my hometown in the middle
of the night, on an endless two-lane highway, in the middle of nowhere.

Up around the curve, my headlights engulfed a scene I'll never forget.......

What looked like three or four cars (to this day I'm not sure) smashed, crumpled
and twisted in burning smoke, completely blocking the road.....

Slamming on my brakes, I skidded to a stop, trying to process what I was witnessing,
I pulled up a few feet closer in my car and unrolled my window....

Burnt shredded metal filled my nostrils with the scent of death, and not a sound......

The silence terrified me...... I started to get out of my car........

Then, from the bowels of the horror, a voice whispered to me "don't stop! go for help"

Numb, I got back in my car..... that's when the wreck of cars parted, and a path was created
to pass through! I drove to the next exit and had the clerk call 911, giving them
directions to
the crash......I drove on        into the night, fumbling for a radio station.

 


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Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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12
Loveless Avatar
June 1, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Powerful words cutting through the dark. I can see it, smell the putrid air, feel the words thicken with the smoke, feel the panic-filled adreniline beating through my heart....Did you cry? I can only imagine, I would. ~Rain
Guzzi Avatar
March 9, 2010 at 3:23 PM
bad memory!! Ever wonder why you didn't go back? Light & Love
Goff Avatar
September 1, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I would only get in the way Deb, response would be fast from first responders the devastation was beyond my skill
Haick Avatar
February 27, 2010 at 5:42 PM
Hey Jimbo, Long time no read! LoL...my congratulations on your win the the contest! Peace, Audrey
Freeman Avatar
February 27, 2010 at 4:59 PM
James, thanks for supporting my contest with this poem. Congratulations, Agape, Moses
Dufresne Avatar
February 27, 2010 at 4:02 PM
great write here James! well written and true to life...... wanted to hear the rest as well as you. Thank God you were there.-Robert
Devonshire Avatar
February 27, 2010 at 7:31 AM
Way to go, Jimbo! I really was spellbound by this poem. Congratulations on your success in John's contest! Love, Carolyn
Sweetheart Avatar
February 27, 2010 at 7:16 AM
Congrats Jimbo on your second place win in Moses contest.. a wonderful win for a wonderful write from a more wonderful poet.. enjoy this victory ..luv.."Sweetheart"
Lasley Avatar
February 15, 2010 at 6:37 PM
OMG!!! My heart started racing as I read this. I felt like I was seeing it thru your eyes. How frightening! It left me wondering what happened to the people in the accident. Tina
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
January 27, 2010 at 4:35 AM
That must have been scary... Excellent writing. My eyes were glued to the page throughout the story and I wondered... Did you find the station... and the news?
Freeman Avatar
January 22, 2010 at 10:27 AM
James, I want to most graciously Thank you for supporting my contest. Sincerely, Moses
Ryerson Avatar
January 21, 2010 at 8:12 PM
James - This is a fine narrative!... Like the last line especially ('fumbling for a radio station') I experienced something similar to this and tried to write about it but was not happy with it so I scrapped it...now I might give it another shot - Tim
Owens Avatar
January 21, 2010 at 6:38 PM
Very scary write...but nice poem...good luck if it's for a contest...Marty
Moreno Avatar
January 18, 2010 at 3:00 AM
Amazing JMG, nice work...Raul
Dietrich Avatar
January 16, 2010 at 6:43 PM
Very weird, is it for the paranormal contest or something? Great descriptions. making us really feel your horror. thanks for your comment tonight.Andrea
Witt-King Avatar
January 16, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Wow, Jimbo, what a powerful description. We never know when or how we will be called upon to help our fellow travelers. Thank you for sharing...and for your blog! loved the photos...Just great!
Nutter Avatar
January 16, 2010 at 3:55 AM
Wow! So descriptive and I could feel the emotions from this write, another excellent piece.
Chamma Avatar
January 16, 2010 at 1:38 AM
Very vivid. I saw it all. A great write Jimbo! hah....Take good care.. Always, The Young One
Devonshire Avatar
January 10, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Wow, what an experience this must have been, Jimbo! Don't know whether I would have stopped or rushed to get help, but listening to the inner "voice" usually helps us make the right choices. Very compelling story. How difficult it must have been to take your mind off of this after witnessing the scene of the crash. Awesome writing! Love, Carolyn
Sweetheart Avatar
January 7, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Thankxxx Jimbo for your blog comments on my Super Bowl two liners.. enjoyed and go Vikings .. Bret is the best but Giants let me down this year so have to go with Romo... thankxxx for participating.. enjoy your poetry always.. blessings.. luv.. Linda-Marie
Richards Avatar
January 7, 2010 at 1:10 PM
soupmail for James! :)
Sweetheart Avatar
January 6, 2010 at 6:57 PM
Wonderful entry for the contest Moses is sponsoring.. my entry is Halfway.. another incident bordering on the paranormal but very real to me... luv your title Jimbo.. it is so apropos to the story told.. u were protected that night for sure as Angels abound all the time.. I collect them and have 3000 or more throughout my home.. they are a joy ... and comfort.. enjoyed your poetry as always... blessings.. luv.. Linda-Marie..
George   Avatar
January 6, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Wow!!! Great story and a winner for shore, my friend. Lainie
Guzzi Avatar
January 5, 2010 at 4:44 PM
wow what a story! Glad for the folks you helped though a true boy scout you are and the world's all the better for having you in it! Light & Love
Haick Avatar
January 5, 2010 at 2:12 PM
Jimbo, you always have such good stories to tell and you do it so-oo well! This is a winner! Goes to my favs. Good luck in JohnMoses's contest! Another great write! Thanks for sharing! Peace, Audrey Happy New Year!
Richards Avatar
January 5, 2010 at 8:26 AM
Wow...James, too real, too horrifying, and I'm sure a memory that you will never forget. Indeed this is a an act of the angels helping you get through the wreckage. Well written, and gripping! ~ Love, Carrie
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