Monday, May 13, 2019

Message to a Tailgater



If you’re in a hurry
Pass me
Go on
Speed on down this two-lane road

I won’t be pushed
To push the pedal
I’m driving along
At a comfortable pace

It’s not a race
To get somewhere faster
I'm not after anything other
Than a safe arrival
At my own destination

That’s not entirely true...
I’m also very much
Enjoying the view
Did you even notice
That field of phlox
We just passed by?
Or the red-tailed hawk
In the cloud-filled sky?

I bet you missed them
In your rage and frustration
At my slower pace
And obligation 
To obey the speed limit

If you want to go faster
Then pass, sir
A dotted line says it's fine
To get in front of me
Feel free 
To get off my tail
With your preoccupation
Of using a car
For intimidation

Congratulations!
At last, you’ve done it
Were it a race
You’ve won it

And with you now gone
I can drive on
Minus the bully or rush
Although, sadly, driver
As the distance between us grows wider
I know you are missing so much