Speed of Escape

Raindrops muddy our cars
to the beat of windshield wipers,
swish, swish, swish …….

Hands gripping steering wheels
we maneuver the maze
of steel, plastic, and rage
with destination’s tunnel vision.

Buffeted by the storm inside and out
life rides on inflated tires turning
at the speed of escape.



© Susie Clevenger 2013


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Comments

Vandana Sharma said…
Life is all about moving ahead no matter how many storms pass by.
July 22, 2013 at 12:36 AM
Kay L. Davies said…
"turning at the speed of escape" — now there's an expression! I love it!
I've become a fair weather driver now. Easier that way.
K
July 22, 2013 at 1:13 AM
Susan said…
That last stanza is amazing! Got it right there in the title. I see the raging in and out.
July 22, 2013 at 1:33 AM
kaykuala said…
at the speed of escape

A lesson on how to make a fast exit mindful of bad weather. Nicely Susie!

Hank
July 22, 2013 at 2:01 AM
Anonymous said…
This is fabulous Susie. A great metaphor! I have been caught in a car during a massive storm, where the sky turned black, and the roads flooded but there were so many cars there was no way to escape. It was very scary! I can see how that applies to life on an emotional/philosophical level as well. Humans are always trying to escape something aren't they?
July 22, 2013 at 2:34 AM
sayan said…
concise..
and i love the phrase..speed of escape...running away from something we dread is always at a greater speed than running towards something we love...
July 22, 2013 at 4:04 AM
J Cosmo Newbery said…
Storms inside and out stike home at the moment!
July 22, 2013 at 5:30 AM
Jim said…
Very clever, Ms. Cleve(r)nger. :)
Our speeds of escape are never a constant but I do like mine to be fast.
..
Well, there are some things for which I NEVER WANT to escape.
..
July 22, 2013 at 6:24 AM
LaTonya Baldwin said…
"turning at the speed of escape." Vivid, chock full.
July 22, 2013 at 6:37 AM
humbird said…
Nice poem, 'speed of Escape' - cool snapshot! I'd say: slow down...take your time...do just more important things...Happy week, Susie! :)
July 22, 2013 at 7:01 AM
Sharp Little Pencil said…
I remember telling Riley, "Never get behind the wheel when you're angry. You might flip someone off and they might have more rage than you... and they might have a gun."

Thanks for the metaphorical "storm" as well as the inner storm, and our twin navigations of same. This is wonderful writing, Suzy, Amy
July 22, 2013 at 8:53 AM
Timoteo said…
"at the speed of escape"

Knockout line!
July 22, 2013 at 9:45 AM
ScottlB said…
Turning at the speed of escape, like that
July 22, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
I once hydroplaned on a slippery switchback during a rainstorm - your poem took me right back there.
July 22, 2013 at 2:45 PM
Marian said…
argh, and my defroster's on the fritz, makes for a challenging escape! love this, Susie.
July 22, 2013 at 2:54 PM
Unknown said…
Preferable to hunkering down waiting for it to pass, in my opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
July 22, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Unknown said…
Just goes to show sometime less is more
July 22, 2013 at 4:55 PM
Ella said…
Oh, yes I know that storm well~
Love this one Susie!
July 22, 2013 at 8:15 PM
Maude Lynn said…
That last stanza is really cool, Susie!
July 22, 2013 at 9:32 PM
Kerry O'Connor said…
I love how you turned the literal into figurative at the end, Susie!
July 23, 2013 at 9:14 AM
Ben Ditty said…
It's been a pleasure riding this storm with you.
July 24, 2013 at 11:34 PM
Akila said…
Glad to be reading this again! Splendid piece
July 25, 2013 at 12:14 AM
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