Actions and Accidents
By Ashley O’Hare
Accidents happen every day.
We get caught up in our minds
and forget that we have a body.
We forget that other people exist.
For a moment, nothing matters—
then chaos ensues.
If we are lucky, an apology is all that is required
to solve the crimes that transpired.
These stories rarely make the news.
The stories of collateral damage do.
The situations where words have no impact.
The situations where lives are lost.
The public is faced with the cruel reminder
that we are all human,
and humans are mortal.
How insane we are to bestow power
to beings prone to error.
We say that accidents are no one’s fault
but we know better.
Actions have consequences
and blame always finds a shoulder.