Poem #43

It’s…a poem. Conceived while driving 35mph around turns, barely speeding up on a short straightaway, then braking for the next set of chicanery.

Rumble Strip

Rumble, grumble, rumble strip.
Tell me I've transgressed.
Painted lines define my limits
but frankly, I protest.
Sometimes you hide between
those lines, sometimes you
sit right on them.
We won't discuss your shoulder twin
who keeps me on all roads.
On this mountain highway,
full of twists, of turns,
it's not too likely I'll nod off,
bored, but still you're stern.
Worse than my car's lane-keeping
notes, which shrilly scold just me,
you warn each transgressing car
so non-discriminately.
I'll mention briefly how you blind
when rain sits in your grooves:
when puddles bounce bright sunshine
into my eyes--so rude.
In short, your presence seems
quite useless on this twisting mountain road.
Why don't you haunt our cities,
and quit this useless scold.

43/100

4 thoughts on “Poem #43

  1. Okay, listen. I’m really tired from not sleeping last night. Yes, it should rhyme in a couple spots it doesn’t. I just liked the opening two lines and went for it.

  2. Such a fun one, and easily can be applied to any guardrails put up on life to keep us in our place. That grating sound…you did such a good job with making us feel it. We’ve all had those moments when life just says, nope, that’s not the way.

    Also, pretty darn good for tired and it doesn’t have to rhythm the entire way or perfectly. I really liked it!

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