You notice too late
The sound of dogs barking
The heat in the air
The tension; the electricity

Too late you notice the boy
At the side of the road
Head bent forward
Wounds dripping onto the pavement

Now you are part of it
A sudden splatter of blood
You step away too late
A dark droplet hits your cheek

Now part of it, you are too late
A slow motion tumble of limbs
A fist across the space to your face
A rush of blood in your head

Silence, blackness, a stumble
The fighters forget their argument
Depart with a sudden change of heart
Strangers range around

An angel remembers himself
And calls for the ambulance
As the drip of your blood patters
From pavement, to kerb, to road