[Lyric] Thoughts of Mortality (Daniel Klotz)

Even now it keeps replaying in your mind—
the motorcycle, spun sideways,
on its careening crash into the red minivan,
pulling out without looking. Thank God
he was wearing a helmet, you think;
otherwise you could never shrug it off,
like he seemed to do when he got up
loosely holding his side, having jumped
clear of the bike and flown across the intersection.

You wait until the police and ambulance
are on the scene, make it to church a little late—
you’re just glad your dad’s driving.

The bread shakes in your hand
when you dip it into the grape juice,
even though you tell yourself
you’re calm, it’s OK.
"For the forgiveness of sins" keeps
running through your ears.
You catch the crumbs stuck
behind your teeth with your tongue,
getting every last bit.