Encounter

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ENCOUNTER


Even without the unblinking stare

of high-beams igniting your rearview, 


keeping it between the lines is hard

enough, which would explain the officer


who’s been tailing you since you can recall

now tapping on your window. All 


stills. You cut the transmission.

He calmly demands total submission 


on the shoulder, extracting you 

from the driver’s seat on the firm grip


of a question. There’s no question

of rescue. It’s just him and you


now, face to face. He blinds you

with his light and calls you by name


across the narrow and straight.

You feel like you’re walking on water.


You spill everything. Making it home

will take another miracle, even


a final confiscation of the keys.

No, sir, you're not fine. Follow me.


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