i lie ready at
the starting line of sleep
tank’s full of exhaustion
this race should be good
(tiny speedsters with a big
head start already careening
towards the finish line
can’t lose not again)
lights cycle yellow then green
GO
she’s off and I watch her
shooting away into snooze
engine purring with quiet
contentment
tires squeal at REM corner
and she’s gone
(can’t lose not this time)
pit crew circles like vultures
what went wrong?
check for caffeinated impurities
or injectors clogged with worry
no idea
unstrap, get out, time to wait
(quietly)
for tomorrow night’s race
May 26th, 2013