my thoughts have travelled the world,
refusing to stop for red lights
or remain under the speed limit
even though they know how much
recklessness can hurt someone.

the nighttime is when
they adventure the most,
exploring every alley and
empty lot of my brain.

they always seem to park
in the scariest of places,
where the gangs of memories
and broken homes of loneliness settle.

the thoughts don’t feel the pain
of a car crash though,
it is me who takes the punches
of the airbags,
it is all me.