Spirit of the Road

Our car’s tires meld to the road’s gravel and dirt

Together, becoming one, dependent on the other

Headed in earnest pursuit toward our purpose

Travelling up and down and round the corners

Our road holds and directs us safely towards home

At home today we long for the journey taken

Yet, ice and snow lay crisp and crunchy on our road’s morning wake

Tenuously placed, one foot forward at a time so as not to slip

We inspect the fallen tree iced on our road’s way

Strong and true our road remains despite the storm’s debris

The years have seen signs of aging to our dutiful, patient road

Its purpose made many yesterdays ago when so carefully graded

Still, the rumors resound about the day the tractor ran off the road

“Watch out for the blind curve” neighbors warn

“Slow” the sign shouts out to blind speeders

Our road speaks in a language we’ve learned to expect

Sounds for each new set of tires are written in a cadence unique

Spoken in crunches, rumbles, rattling, bouncing, jangling

Metallic noises join to loudly make a lyrical earthly song

Like sirens beckoning arrivals and heralding departures

cmc 12/13