Classic Poem

but even leaving, longing to be back,
to do again what I did yesterday —
I, Miss Highway, I couldn't drive off track

or crash. I joined the candy-coated pack
to follow yellow lines and concrete, gray
but even. Leaving. Longing to be back

beyond those lines, in other lines. Like smack
these flashback rides, E-ticket crack: You pay
you have to stay. I couldn't drive off track,

or spin to face my enemies' attack.
The road signs told me " NOW LEAVING L.A. "
but even leaving, longing to be back

to go again. I knew I had a knack
for getting there and going. Child's play,
And anyway, I couldn't drive off track,

once safety-strapped onto that strip of black.
I couldn't lose or get lost on the way,
but even leaving, longing to be back
and be okay. I couldn't drive off track.











Copyright ┬® 1999 by Chryss Yost. Reprinted by permission of the author.