He hasn’t changed driving habits
since he got behind the wheel at sixteen—
thinks he owns the fast lane.
First in line at every light,
takes off like a hare, speed shifts.
No cop’s gonna stop him
at just ten miles over the limit.
Weaving. Tailgating.
Hitting the gas as light goes yellow,
streaking through red,
thinks he‘s Mario Andretti.
He turns seventy-six in November.
–
Ann Howells edited Illya’s Honey for eighteen years. Recent books: So Long As We Speak Their Names (Kelsay Books, 2019) and Painting the Pinwheel Sky (Assure Press, 2020). Chapbooks Black Crow in Flight and Softly Beating Wings were published through contests. Ann is a multiple Pushcart and Best-of-the-Net nominee.
© 2024, Ann Howells
Halfway Down the Stairs 