Open Roads

I turn the volume knob,

slide on my Maui Jims,

roll down the windows,

depress the clutch,

breathe in the fresh air.

My elbow rests

on the window opening of the car,

hand fluctuates

in the sixty mile per hour wind,

muscles strain

at the pressure of the moving air,

warm air winds

through the fingers of my hand

and around my palm like the current

of a few feet deep stream.

The sun shines through my window,

brightens the green grass,

reflects off the pavement ahead,

warms my rested arm.

I sing along to every song that plays.

My mind is blank.

I don’t think about school,

about work,

about life,

about anything,

but the lyrics.

In my car I feel free.

I feel happy.

I feel alive.

I don’t know my destination.

I just drive,

and sing,

and breathe,

and be.