on my drive in today
i passed an ambulance
screeching east
while I plodded west

i did my duty
and bowed my car
respectfully
off the side of the road

i doubt that any EMT knows
but i always lower my radio
and say a little prayer
for the quiet rider in the back

at first, i thought
the woman in the co-pilot seat
was rather old for this type of work
her silver hair all disheveled
from the rush at the scene

but then I realized
she was a wife
and there must be a husband

or perhaps not

she looked so completely lost
staring at the hospital racing towards them in the window

and suddenly empty
like a soda can
with its mouth hanging open

saying no