THERE IS NO PAIN ON THE HIGHWAY

by Paul Chasse

 

There is no pain on the highway
hypnotic, asphalt siren song in
my ears again, I thought it muted (except
for the occasional sunday putt) by
good job, good woman, but all
overwhelmed, like the Nile floods &
wipes out the work of generations &
all is gone but the highway song &
as I struggle, a timeclock slave, my
empty wrist aches for the throttle
No, no pain on the highway, baby,
only roads, I love roads. The interstates,
long well maintained stretches of faceless
anonymity, backroads, crumbling lost highways
potholes & crazy - quilt alligator cracks
running along fading, painted lines. Laugh &
worry lines on the soul of the continent.
There is no pain on the highway
Only sound, thrumming of hog's twin cylinders
beneath me, roar of a passing diesel,
wail of its air horn, tire song.
no pain on the highway
only wind, hot desert breath, cool
mountain breeze, salty seacoast sighing &
it never has to end, for there are always
more roads, loved and familiar, like a lover's body
or unknown unconquered alien territory
there is no pain on the highway
No hope, or despair, ambitions, disappointments, love, loss
only my magical steelchrome, fiery assed Odin horse,
a centaur, I, a myth, I don't exist & feel
no pain on the highway