The Drive

Perspiration clings to his forehead

as his foot smashes the accelerator;

A single key

            orchestrates his death song.

The “new property” snarls as its tires

            sizzle on the asphalt.

The symphony of wailing sirens

            pursues him down the throat

            of a choked highway.

 

He fondles the shift and surges ahead.

The wind slaps him, but

            it cannot halt

            an angry typhoon

            of flesh and steel.

 

A tear forms in the man’s eye.

Why did it have to be like this?

Shaking his head, he crushes the pedal harder.  

 

The man is hit with a violent rattle;

the right rear tire has punctured.

The car loses control and somersaults

            over the pavement,

like a failed takeoff.

 

His vision blurs as he concludes

            his final refrain.