Meteor

When I was seven
I loved to look
in the science book
the little black and white photo
of the lady
who had been hit
by a meteor
she was in a hospital bed
with her bruised thigh
exposed for the camera
had she been out sunbathing
when it happened?
Maybe she was hanging her laundry
that day in the sun
perhaps she took a break
and was sipping lemonade
on her patio
how could she not
feel chosen
to be smacked
with astral debris?
Is this something I have to worry about?
I'll be sure to look up often
and step out of the way.
When my brother and I go into the yard to play baseball
I duck when a bird flies by.
(7/9/05)