0344

the heat rises in ripples from the hot surface road,
as a truck is coming fast carrying a full load,
a small bird lands ahead where the tires go,
pecking at the road unable to know,
the truck driver sees and swerves to the right,
passing by the bird giving it a fright,
its feathers fall out as it pauses by spinning wheels,
vomiting up all six of its last undigested meals,
the draft from behind blows a cold wind up his back,
later he gains the courage to leave the dirt track.