Natural Light

[qimissung]

Once I took a road trip with Death.
We drove down from Tulsa in a ’69 Camero,
Down Route 66 through OKC,
Across the Texas panhandle and
Into New Mexico. Of course it was hot.
No air conditioning, driving with the
Windows down, the wind blowing
Through my hair, but his hood stayed up,
Regardless. He took his share at driving,
He usually had a death-grip on the wheel,
And he had a taste for Natural Light,
Like some one who spent their days in
A factory, only coming up for air, a beer,
A little sleep, before the next shift.
He had no sense of humor. When I said
That having a drink with Death was ironic,
He just gave me a surly look, so I shut up.
As we entered Needles, I still jaunty,
He, steely-eyed and jawed, staring
Straight ahead, he reminded me that
None of us get out of this alive. I asked if I
Could tell his story. He thought awhile
And then agreed. As I write this, I remember
Him, my ancient friend, giving me that
Cool dark silent watching as we drove
Across the desert late at night,
The wind whooshing in our ears, the
Highway unfurling before us, the longest
Part of the trip behind us, eternity still ahead.

[goldenrod]

I don't think I shall be as cool in the presence of death, if my past experiences are anything to go by!

Still, your poem gave me an eerie sense of comfort, for, if to me, death is no friend, I have been close enough to take his measure...

goldenrod.

[jikan myshkin]

did he contribute towards the petrol money? you'd hope so in todays inflated world...

[jikan myshkin]

"no matter how i strugle and strive, i'll never get out of this world alive" hank williams

[qimissung]

While Death has a job, his payment, I think, is not in monetary terms...

[firefangled]

I love the way this finishes, Qimissung. Your passenger a fine mystery.

[whitman]

this is excellent very dark and sardonic.

[qimissung]

Thank you whitman. And thank you, also, firefangled and goldenrod.

[mazHur]

Once I took a road trip with Death.
We drove down from Tulsa in a ’69 Camero,
Down Route 66 through OKC,
Across the Texas panhandle and
Into New Mexico. Of course it was hot.
No air conditioning, driving with the
Windows down, the wind blowing
Through my hair, but his hood stayed up,
Regardless. He took his share at driving,
He usually had a death-grip on the wheel,
And he had a taste for Natural Light,
Like some one who spent their days in
A factory, only coming up for air, a beer,
A little sleep, before the next shift.
He had no sense of humor. When I said
That having a drink with Death was ironic,
He just gave me a surly look, so I shut up.
As we entered Needles, I still jaunty,
He, steely-eyed and jawed, staring
Straight ahead, he reminded me that
None of us get out of this alive. I asked if I
Could tell his story. He thought awhile
And then agreed. As I write this, I remember
Him, my ancient friend, giving me that
Cool dark silent watching as we drove
Across the desert late at night,
The wind whooshing in our ears, the
Highway unfurling before us, the longest
Part of the trip behind us, eternity still ahead.


I like the smooth flow and the force and co-ordination behind the lines ,,,,
Death could be a 'driver' is quite a unique idea but why describe death as harsh and humorless when it is said to be the beginning of yet another life!
anyway, nice endevor by Q :)

[ampoule]

I'm very glad your trip has not come to an end as I liked this very much. And I remember on a trip of my own how the very breath was sucked out of me when I stepped out of my air conditioned car in Needles, CA.

[mazHur]

it really sounds great having you alive and kicking! hehe !

[blazeofglory]

Enigmatic and hanting

[TheFifthElement]

You know, I've come back to this poem a few times now. At first it didn't really hit me, but then, later, something made me think I ought to read it again. I'm glad I did. It's an excellent poem, one to be read aloud. Neat rhythm; interesting theme, well handled. The ending works really well.

[CdnReader]

I love this poem, Qim. The images were quite quickly burned into my brain. Great rhythm, great concept, wonderfully expressed.

[qimissung]

Thank you,FifthElement and Reader. I tried to be judicious about whether I had accomplished what I wanted to with this effort; I thought that I had, but getting this positive feedback from you is extremely heartwarming. I'm glad that you liked it and got something from it.