Sliding
in and out of lanes
like a first time ice-skater.
Horns honk t
he driver ignores them,
continuing his cell phone conversation,
oblivious to the slamming brakes
and angry shouts.
I count down the blocks as we pass them by-
58th, 57th, 56th….
how many more til Penn Station? Will we make it?
Gripping the door handle,
I hold on for dear life,
hoping no one cuts us off
and that we stop cutting off everyone else.
The light up ahead turns amber, then red.
The oblivious driver continues forward,
not seeing the light.
Stop, stop, stop, I pray.
At the very last moment
he slams on the brakes.
We are safe at the red light.
I look up-
10 more blocks to go.
Filed under: slice of life challenge, writing Tagged: | slice of life, slice of life challenge '08
I am sitting with you. 10 more blocks, eternity. Powerful word economy.
Bonnie
You have me right in the seat with you.
There is a bit of frantic energy to the poem, which captures the state of mind.
Kevin
Oh, the fun of cab rides in NYC! I’ve had some harrowing ones, too. This is so vivid!
–Stacie