I awoke this morning remembering something that happened only four days ago. It is a metaphor for the chaotic sorrow and upheaval I experience right now. It seemed like a dream at the time, and now even more so.

 

Alarming

 

I circle the vast college parking lot for a parking space.

Circling, searching, circling,

searching, circling,

searching,

 

There is no space left for me, until finally,

I find one.

 

I open the door to get out,

but my alarm goes off.

 

HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! ! HONK! HONK! HONK!

How to stop it?

I don’t know.

My hand travels the dashboard

 

Searching the buttons, the knobs,

searching the buttons,

the knobs,

 

HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! ! HONK! HONK! HONK!

I have to stop.

I’m too loud.

I disturb everyone.

 

Then I remember

There is no one inside in the surrounding parked cars.

.

HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! ! HONK! HONK! HONK!

 

My hand searches the dashboard.

Touching, pushing, twisting, pounding,

touching, pushing,

twisting,

Pounding

 

HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! ! HONK! HONK! HONK!

 

I look around and then notice someone two cars away.

She keeps her head down, completely focused on her cell phone.

Shielded from the noise.

 

I can’t go to class.

I feel abandoned.

 

HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! ! HONK! HONK! HONK!

 

A macho-sized truck on magnum sized tires circles the lot,

Circling, approaching, slowing

circling, approaching,

slowing,

Who?

Will he help?

Do I dare ask?

        

HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! ! HONK! HONK! HONK

 

I exit my car, step out in his path, and wave my arms.

He slows,

stops,

and leans out.

 

Can you help me?

 

His eyes soften, and he says,

 Click the key on—then off again. That should do it.

 

I reach for his hand and thank him.

He drives off—and disappears.

 

I believe in Angels.