Moon Glow

Guiding my Mad Path Through the Trees with Only One Shoe

Almost a full moon, it was the same moon that transported me to another side of being thirty-four years ago.

Trying to avoid kangaroos on a deserted country road, I had a car crash. On my own, I hadn’t told anyone where I was going. Skidding, then losing control, the vehicle snaked from the high cliff side of the road to the steep embankment before going over the edge.

The crunch of metal loud in my ears, the car spun over. Seat belt crushed my chest, digging in my belly, making me feel giddy and sick. An open pack of Minties hit my face like mini-missiles on the way downhill.

Twenty-one years unrolled like a highlights reel sped forward, only my mind was filled with ordinary moments too. Shards of memories from before I could remember, in the clothes of a three-year-old. There was recognition that it was me and my family, only everyone looked younger.

Must have passed out. There was silence and my gold car was upside down. Hanging, it took ages to orientate myself.

Hurting like someone had flayed me with nettles, I’d thrown a shoe in the accident. That ankle ached.

My car didn’t seem like a car the other way around. The seat belt was so taut it made breathing hard; then I…