It's like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way. E. L. Doctorow
This week, the New What’s Going On blog has given the theme of “Through the Windshield” - something to do with cars, obviously! Here is my offering:
This week, the New What’s Going On blog has given the theme of “Through the Windshield” - something to do with cars, obviously! Here is my offering:
The Long Ribbon of the Road
I count the minutes as they pass
The road stretches ahead,
An endless ribbon unfurling.
I count the seconds as they linger on
The dark, long road heartless,
The miles to you unending.
My burning love for you fuels my drive
Although it seems I’ll never arrive…
My teary eyes, mirror the rain falling,
Its sound it seems my name is calling.
Your face remembered, pulls me to you,
Even if I sink and drown in your black bayou.
The long ribbon of the road
Unwinds and mocks my speed,
As I attempt to catch the ribbon’s end.
The endless road stretches forever,
And like its dark ribbon up ahead,
My love for you is inexhaustible,
My beating heart, for you will falter
Although the love it hides won’t alter.
My raspy breath, my fevered brow,
The shaking trees, the branches sough.
Your touch remembered, pulls me to you,
Even if I sink and drown in your black bayou.
Time drags as the road forever runs
And in the night I speed faster and faster;
I weather storms, battle with windmills,
Cheat hours, lie to myself, lose my reason;
Swallow my pride, pretend I’m in control,
Just to be in your embrace for a single stolen night.
My burning love for you fuels my drive
Although it seems I’ll never arrive…
My teary eyes, mirror the rain falling,
Its sound it seems my name is calling.
Your face remembered, pulls me to you,
Even if I sink and drown in your black bayou.
The poem is set to music again, and you can find all my music in my “Otidorchestre” channel or listen to it on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer, Flo, Pandora, and other music sharing sites.
One thing really I hate is driving at night. So many reflections, and if there are no street lights it is even worse. Ugh. In your poem, I feel the urgency and yearning in this drive, the willingness to endure the length of it just to be with the one loved, even if just for one night. Sometimes a person just NEEDS to do what one needs to do whether others might consider it reasonable or not. The heart is in the driver's seat! I enjoyed this, Nick!
ReplyDeleteYou write with such intensity and passion - an engaging road trip - and thank you for your kind comment at mine - Jae
ReplyDeleteI doubt any drives are as urgent as those heading towards a loved one. This drive being at night adds to the angst and pain of the driver, travelling through the darkness to what the reader hopes is a bright reception. Set to music, it is even more beautiful - your voice is amazing. I hope you perform publicly.
ReplyDeleteAn immeasurably sad journey written with pain and passion. Hope there are brighter days ahead.
ReplyDeleteYou seem bound to ". . . sink and drown in your black bayou." I am aging, I try to avoid driving in the dark as others. Good poem though, persistent thought.
ReplyDeleteThe longing but never arriving theme is so poignant. I like the following of the long ribbon on the road It makes the poem so visible in the dark
ReplyDelete"The road stretches ahead,
ReplyDeleteAn endless ribbon unfurling." I read this poem partly as metaphor for concepts too big to hold, and partly as a man longing for a woman. I suppose there are other readings as well. But I love the ribbon, the beating heart, the tears and the rain.
This lyrical poem/song is beautifully sad. I think I've been on that road before. The repeating chorus is touching. Very well done! You are talented.
ReplyDeleteThe poem creates an atmosphere and pulls us in. The drive is like an eternity set against an intense passion. Wow! These moments that feel like everlasting are not uncommon in our life. So very well expressed.
ReplyDelete