Lord, as I roll
and brake
roll
and brake
pinned side to side
front and back
by the chev on my bumper
the semi belching diesel
the convertible blasting metal
the pickup pointing twelve-foot boards
waving red flags
straight at my windshield
and the stench of sunstroked asphalt
rises over all...
May I remember
it could be workers
up ahead
seeing, smelling, hearing, that and more
building a road
to make travel possible
baking in place
while I roll
my window up
turn on the AC.
May I remember
it could be an accident
up ahead
people now unable to roll
and brake
(at best)
people whose lives have forever changed
(or, yes, ended)
at worst.
So what if I'm home an hour late.
I have my cellphone
my AC
my life.
Lord, wrap them in everlasting arms
as I do the only thing I can:
extend my heart on a wing of compassion
as I roll
respectfully
by.
May I remember
it could be more traffic
up ahead
people like and unlike me
who roll
and brake
roll
and brake
pinned side to side
front and back
by others who wish they weren't there
either
give them
peace for stress
thanksgiving for frustration
forgiveness for lateness
and let perspective
rise over all.
Grant these strangers whose lives merge
only here
only now
safe passage to their hundred destinations.
No comments:
Post a Comment