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Until the Wheels Fall Off
Until the wheels fall off,
I could drive it
with rumbling, then sputtering engine
until the wheels fall off.
I hit a brick wall,
once or twice or a hundred times.
Was I arrogant?
I was assuredly foolish,
but I didn't think I was conceited.
I didn't think.
And so,
here we are.
If I didn't call or text my son
I'm pretty certain
I would never hear from him again,
and of my daughter I realized that
a long time ago.
And I remember being told
how I was a good father,
and I remember being told
how I was a good man,
and I remember being told
I was an inspiration,
and wise,
and compassionate,
and kind.
These days
I walk around pretty certain
that God is pissed at me,
and I don't think that in an ironic,
witty,
or clever way.
I have not idea how much repentance is enough.
I keep driving on a flat,
I keep driving
with no speedometer or way to tell
if the engine is too hot.
At 20, that probably wasn't that bad,
but now in my early 40s I wonder how much longer
it can go on,
driving until the wheels fall off.
Comments
Race_9togo
Fri, 2017-06-09 01:47
Yeah
This is really good.
Last line of stanza 6, "not" should be "no".
Last stanza is excellent, but in line 7 I would use "I" instead of "it".
Title is excellent
Language use near-perfect,
Love the theme, and I like the beginning.
The ending is wonderful.
I love the way you transition from driving, at the beginning, to life, at the end. If that's internal logic, then you nailed it.
Keep it coming.
Respectfully, Race
"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo