red flashes
to
green
and the pedal
sinks into
the
floor

quiet, soothing
jazz seeps out of my
speakers

speed goes to 10
then 20
then 40
then levels out
at an even
50

(5 miles over the speed limit)

my head is filled
with everything but
the task at hand

the DJ on the radio
apologizes for a mess-
up in the music

(we now return to
over the rainbow)

my mind is like
the road ahead

dark, lightless,
but there

it is borne of truth
and the future
but tainted by
the path
itself

(I almost have a head-on
collision as I try to make
a left turn on a green)

I get to the gas station
with my heart pumping

I see the lights inside,
the soda, magazines,
candy, cigarettes, and
day-old donuts

I quietly get out
and walk to the door
get an ice cream
and go back
to my
car

I take a deep breath
and ignite the engine