Morning Drive
You wake, early, beating your alarm’s call
The sun has yet to join you and that’s okay
Moving deliberately, you ease out of bed
Trying not to disturb your still-sleeping love
With purposeful steps, you creep down the hall
Careful to avoid those squeaky floorboards
Into the bathroom, closing the door quietly
Do what needs doing, and dress for success
Then it’s out the door, into the darkness
Motion lights wink on, they’ve got you
This is your time, before the world interrupts
On the road now, the bucket seat hugging you
Quick detour into the coffee shop drive-thru
Good morning, coffee and a muffin, thank you
Journey resumed, light traffic, familiar path
Fifteen minutes to work, today will take an hour
The first shades of gray lighten the horizon
Winding backroads frame sleepy homes
Fields and farms rise from the gloom
Mists float above calm pond waters
Night and day creatures punch their timecards
Earth’s natural order chugs faithfully along
Your thoughts drift in cadence with the miles
Things to do, people to see, expectations to meet
But that cannot your concern right now
While the radio chatters in the background
Life’s mysteries hold your attention
All the what, why, who, and when questions
By some enigmatic design, their answers elude you
For if we knew the solutions, would we try so hard
To live a life worthy of remembering
Or, like the Cheshire Cat, would we lie back
And watch it all play out for our entertainment
Cresting the hill, you find your spot and park
The coffee and muffin taste so much better here
Perched before the wide, infinite expanse
A captive audience waiting for the daily show
You smile when the yellow glow reflects off the hood
As its source rises high above, a promise kept
That feeling of smallness returns, gives perspective
But if you are a mere speck in the sands of time
Make that speck count today, and hope tomorrow
Brings you another chance to make things better
For we’re all connected, we all matter, we are one
The clock’s digital glow warns you from the dash
Time to get back to it, whatever it may be
Glancing once more at that glorious exhibition
You start the engine, shift into gear, and rejoin the race
Vowing to accept this one simple challenge
Presented weekly by one simple writer
Whatever you are, be a good one
