#13: As Close As Possible, by Mary Matthews
About the Author
Mary Matthews lives outside the city limits of Fairbanks, Alaska, and practices her writing, sculpting, drawing, painting, and printmaking daily. She makes her living as a social worker for families who have children who experience developmental disabilities.
From the Chapbook
Racing In My Red Car
No snow, black road.
New car bright red
Never had a red car
before this always white
Leaves gone colors
coming up pink
Dot dash clouds.
Must be a message
from some majesty
reads: All's well
until a mother moose
sees red as enemy
charges like a bull
Girl racer never
touches brakes
and outruns the largest
living thing ever
to attack her
later she says
some mornings
there are miracles
to look back at
in automobile mirrors
and see that once
in a while coming
as close as possible
without touching
can be gratifying.
