Roadtrip Trance

Night driving alone

Just road and dry desert

Nothing but haunting silhouettes

Stunted shrubs and cacti

Night so dark the road becomes the sky

Headlights turn to stars twinkling

All landmarks are hidden in the darkness

Speeding

Faster

Faster

100 miles per hour

A big red

STOP

seen too late

Through the busy intersection I speed

‘Til safe on the other side.

Skid along the dirt

Kill the ignition

Step out

The road disappears and it’s just me

Peaceful stillness

The world, dark

Whole cosmos spanned above

More stars than comprehension shine

No life to be seen, or heard

But my breath

Inhale.

Exhale.

I am alive.

Back on the road

Nothing but sand dunes

How can there be life in such a wasteland?

The sky looks far more filled with life

Driving through nothingness,

Not a destination in mind.

Splotches of lemon appear in the sky

Clouds?

I race towards the glowing colors

A city amidst the sand begins to take form

Not clouds.

Smog floats above, reflecting city lights

I guess I’ve arrived

T

I U-turn and drive

away from the light

Back to the night.