Quick run to the store
after dark. Moon-roof open.
Windows down, driving.
Alone, I glance back.
Car-seat is empty. Not one
passenger. Alone.
The night is pulsing.
Lights fly by; I slice through them.
I lick my lips, drive.
Maybe a little
too fast? Wind licks the side of
my face, hair swirling.
Fingers tapping the
wheel. Foot tapping the floorboards.
Body keeps rhythm…
Loud music playing.
Perhaps, a little too loud?
Feeling young. Alive.
My eyes flash to the
rearview. My high school self looks
back at me, grinning.
Just for a moment.
Then she vanishes. But I
am left with her smile.
#1 by Maggie's Mind on August 22, 2008 - 12:17 AM
Awesome, Lotus. It’s like being there in the car with you. Except part of the point was that you were alone, but still.
Maggie’s Minds last blog post..Haiku Friday 8/22/08 – Part Four
#2 by Suzanne on August 22, 2008 - 12:58 AM
There is nothing like a summer night, driving with the wind whipping your hair around and the music cranked up loud.
(though I half expected to hear you were driving too fast and those lights were the red and blue type, lol!)
Suzannes last blog post..Running Around in Circles, Getting Nowhere
#3 by Lilacspecs on August 22, 2008 - 1:07 AM
Astounding imagery. And I feel (felt…no car for me here till I can learn to drive a stick) the same way when I’m driving alone at night. It makes me feel like I’m 17 again…just without the cigarette.
Lilacspecss last blog post..Weekly Winners – August 10-16
#4 by Makeshift Mama on August 22, 2008 - 1:34 AM
Beautiful! And I can totally relate. Thanks for sharing this!
Makeshift Mamas last blog post..Videoblogging is hard w/ 3 minutes of camera memory.
#5 by Michelle on August 22, 2008 - 4:32 AM
So good to be alone, window down, music cranking…
I do it when I can, though there is usually a surfboard in the car.
#6 by jenn in holland on August 22, 2008 - 4:46 AM
Gorgeous!
The last stanza left me with warm shivers.
Wow.
jenn in hollands last blog post..Nothin’ But Net
#7 by monica @ transplanting me on August 22, 2008 - 6:41 AM
that happens occasionally to me – the glimpse of the high school self – and always makes me feel good!
monica @ transplanting mes last blog post..too good to be true
#8 by Erin on August 22, 2008 - 6:52 AM
What is it about driving fast that brings back a flash of our wilder years?
Erins last blog post..DSC03575
#9 by Kara on August 22, 2008 - 6:59 AM
Wow. Love it.
This is why I love grocery shopping after 7pm.
Karas last blog post..Throwback Thursday – First Grade
#10 by tracey on August 22, 2008 - 8:02 AM
There’s nothing like a nighttime drive in the summertime, ALONE, to make you feel younger!
traceys last blog post..Haiku Friday
#11 by Fiesty Charlie on August 22, 2008 - 8:14 AM
Nice read first thing in the morning…. thanks for sharing it.
Fiesty Charlies last blog post.."Marloff’s Whimsy"
#12 by Patsy Bain on August 22, 2008 - 8:16 AM
Have experienced it. Love it. Amazing how a that happens. Always enjoy your stuff. Have a great day.
Patsy Bains last blog post..Haiku Friday — Two Miles Each Day
#13 by Trina on August 22, 2008 - 8:18 AM
Don’t you just love those moments?? “Honey, I’ve just got to run to the store for this ingredient. Be right back,” translated: Freedom!!! Even if it is just for a moment!
Trinas last blog post..$5 off $20 Coupon at Walgreens!
#14 by Lou Lohman on August 22, 2008 - 8:22 AM
You were the girl I was always afraid of when I was young. The one I always wanted – but the one I knew I would never be good enough for – never keep up with – never be able to please.
But I’m glad I’ve gotten to know you now.
Lou Lohmans last blog post..Haiku Friday
#15 by Mariposa on August 22, 2008 - 9:00 AM
Love it!
Great ‘Ku…
#16 by Tracey on August 22, 2008 - 9:37 AM
Love it!
Aren’t those stolen moments the ones that fuel us?
Traceys last blog post..Our week at a glance
#17 by janelle on August 22, 2008 - 9:42 AM
omg, so true!! you don’t really value being alone in a car until you’re a parent…nice ‘ku lotus!
janelles last blog post..Haiku Friday
#18 by Michelle on August 22, 2008 - 10:57 AM
Alone? In the car? Sounds heavenly. I had a night alone in the car a few months ago and I’ll admit to cracking up some 80’s music and feeling a little piece of my high school self come alive.
Michelles last blog post..Cute squared
#19 by A Whole Lot of Nothing on August 22, 2008 - 11:15 AM
Sometimes I catch a glimpse of my high school-self in the mirror, but then I see my now-self’s butt and it snaps me right back.
A Whole Lot of Nothings last blog post..While I Wait
#20 by MP on August 22, 2008 - 11:36 AM
SWEET!!!!!
You totally captured it. Awesome awesome post!
MPs last blog post..The ABC Meme..
#21 by Colleen - Mommy Always Wins on August 22, 2008 - 11:40 AM
I think its fun to have these momentary glances into our past selves…its like a little pick-me-up to remember life won’t always be mired down in all the stresses we’re currently living with.
#22 by Jessica on August 22, 2008 - 11:46 AM
I love drives like those. Where for just an instant you aren’t a mommy or a wife, you’re young and free. I cherish those moments when they come.
Jessicas last blog post..My baby’s two
#23 by Tracy on August 22, 2008 - 12:43 PM
I’m at the opposite point, I’ve been accompanied everywhere for so long I hate to go by myself anymore, LOL. I do hear you though, seeing a flash of your younger self. My daughter was watching Alice Upside Down with Luke Perry and he looks so old–then I realized I’m only 10 years younger, lol, which makes ME so old–and where did the time go? I still feel that age, no fair!
#24 by natalie on August 22, 2008 - 1:34 PM
i don’t drive here since i’ve never learned to drive a stick. when i am back in the states i can’t even tell you how much i love getting in the car and just driving. when i was back in the spring i got to drive from houston to austin all by myself. the feeling was amazing. watching the scenery and listening to the radio…sunroof open. sigh…i can’t wait to get back in november for many reasons…driving is one of them!
(since i wasn’t used to driving i did almost run out of gas…but i’ve removed that from the memory since it was quite stressful and not part of the pleasantness of it!)
natalies last blog post..Names…
#25 by Rachael on August 22, 2008 - 2:25 PM
Wonderful Haiku this week – made me smile big!
Rachaels last blog post..Haiku Friday: I love my shower
#26 by Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas on August 22, 2008 - 4:03 PM
Nice one!
Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritass last blog post..WE’RE BEING HELD HOSTAGE
#27 by Raging Dad on August 22, 2008 - 4:24 PM
Makes me think of REM’s “Nightswimming,” which reminds me of high school, hanging out in friends’ parents’ outdoor hottubs, with snow falling on our steamy faces. Great poem.
Raging Dads last blog post..Confession: Why I killed my little girl’s kitty
#28 by manager mom on August 22, 2008 - 8:57 PM
Loved this post. While I GOD FORBID have no desire to go back to high school, I do miss the carefree little thing I was back then…
manager moms last blog post..Saving The Drama For Her Mama
#29 by Vixen on August 22, 2008 - 8:59 PM
You wrote that so well, I relived all those stolen moments in the car without kids all over again. And I was left with a smile!
#30 by Elizabeth on August 22, 2008 - 9:12 PM
That was beautiful!!
#31 by Katherine on August 22, 2008 - 10:07 PM
Lips turned up, a smile
I think of my high school self
I close my eyes, dream
I have come so far
When did I become so old
Tears spill past my eyes
Katherines last blog post..Green Bag Lady
#32 by Mom24 on August 22, 2008 - 10:12 PM
So fun! I always feel a little naughty if I’m in the car alone. Rarely happens though.
Mom24s last blog post..Bionicles
#33 by Katherine on August 22, 2008 - 10:19 PM
Sorry, got submit happy, you really do “wax poetic” and now my eyes are all welled up and it is hard to see. ACK In my head I am 18 and my poor body feels 81. Gosh, can’t wait until I am 50. When I look in the mirror my young self always looks back, but when I look at my pictures OMG. Seriously? I am that old?
Katherines last blog post..Green Bag Lady
#34 by Christina on August 25, 2008 - 7:26 PM
I have those moments, too, and I cherish them. Driving alone with the radio cranked up and forgetting for a few minutes that I’m a mom is a wonderful feeling.
Christinas last blog post..Today’s Conversations