Now, In the Car

2017
Miré Regulus

Driving to the next thing
the next place, the next problem
behind the wheel I sigh, in a moment striving for ease
the programming splinters and it’s
static on the radio

Static on the radio should be a respite
from voices telling bad news
The long arc of the moral universe
is supposedly bending
but what I know is, I don’t feel right 

Static on the radio should be a respite
from songs with no true feeling, no underpinnings
And I remember that the children
who learn from the fighting yet doubtful among us
sometimes pulse with impatience
move without sinew, no bone, no spine
horde greedy, desperate
fearing what they may never have

I have sinew, spine and bone,
I like to think I can bend not break
but the arc of the universe is long
and I fear I am about to fracture
Static on the radio should be a respite
from voices conquering, telling
our lives with no generosity and less truth
 
I like to believe I am like trees
knowing where I belong
connected at the root
moments of stillness and quiet rustling
adapting as the seasons cycle
a sense of rising and feeding life
 
Static on the radio should be a respite:
I’m told white noise is restful but I can't sleep
 
I pull in, park, gather my labor
prepare to leave the car, I'm just…
but now I'm just so tired

The static on the radio stops, I half-breathe in the silence
Then get out of the car without hearing
what comes next