| I wrote this piece this summer, thought I'd post it.
The Highway
Line, Line, Line…
You’d think I’d get bored and look away, but I don’t. I just keep watching, mesmerized by its
continuous pattern. Its constancy isn’t
comforting, it’s disturbing.
I don’t like these lines anymore.
Line, Line, Line…
They box me in. I
fear crossing their “guiding” borders for what might hit me on the other
side. I remember when I used to like
these lines- especially crisscrossing them on the road.
Line, Line, Line…
I used to push these dotted lines into a smooth yellow blur
as my speedometer roared. In those days
it wasn’t the lines which blew past me, but the other cars, trucks, vans –
whatever. They were gone before I could
care to look.
Line, Line, Line…
But it was pointless; they’re passing me now.
And I push a steady pace, hoping that “check engine” light
is just a joke and not more bad news…
Line, Line, Line…
That’s what they are, a prediction of my future- I’ll still
be stuck in these lines in an hour…
Line, Line, Line…
I’m getting tired.
No, wait. I’ve been tired. Now, I’m exhausted and these lines don’t
care, they aren’t forgiving. They just
keep coming.
Line, Line, Line…
I’ve realized between half daydreams, that as dusk falls and
those red tail lights light up my horizon, that I get fixed on those too. They smirk at me, saying “you’ll never
catch me, weak one. You’re nothing-
always behind,” -their
red eyes boring into my vision, clouding my already hurting head. And so, I look back down at the lines…
Line, Line, Line…
Every once in a while, I catch a light from off the side of
the road and its better. It seems less
tiring there. I mean, they’re not
getting anywhere like I am, but where am I going anyways?
Line, Line, Line…
I have to look back at these lines anyways. If I don’t I’ll hit something and then
what? I don’t want to find out. I’ve been on the road for so long I don’t
think its good to change that…
Line, Line, Line…
Ahh…another good glimpse of light on the side of the
road. Maybe it was a diner or gas
station? I don’t know, its not
important what it was. It was just nice
to look to my right instead of forward for once. I wish I could do it more often.
My neck hurts from sitting still…
Line, Line, Line…
Ya know, what if I’m missing something? If there are places and people on the side
of the road, maybe its worth looking?
I’ll look whenever I can next time to see…
Line, Line, Line…
That was stupid!! That’s the last time I turn my eyes from the road! I could have crashed, or worse- I could have
stopped moving and lost all that time and ground!
Line, Line, Line…
Those exits keep calling me, but they’re not mine… But I
can’t help but think, “what if I’m wrong?
What if these directions are wrong?
What is on the sides of this road? All I can think is-
Line, Line, Line…
I can’t wait to get home.
I hate this road. So what did
home look like again?
Line, Line, Line…
The road looks the same, no change. Maybe I should have taken an exit
somewhere…I guess I’ll keep driving.
Eventually I’ll find it – or my engine will stop… Hey, look- more lines…
Line, Line, Line…
Back to where I was before, I think…You’d think I’d get
bored and look away, but I don’t. I
just keep watching, mesmerized by its continuous pattern. Its constancy isn’t comforting…its damning.
I don’t like these lines anymore…
~Michael Weeks
Thank you for saving me from the Lines, my Lord.
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i