Running On Empty
she hit the ground running – a
full tank
of gas and wine thrumming -
taking the
curves of the lane as though a
simple
element–a proven theory of Invincible-
Ability – she hit the ground
running –
gear screaming into fourth-as
trees
sailed with demon silence -
through
the windshield and she flew buddy
she flew fast as a soft sell
candy to
a kid with cash and a craving
tooth…
she hit the ground running on
empty
Superb, scary, from Linda Stevenson
ReplyDeleteGraphic....very nicely done...
ReplyDeleteHorrifically graphic in its imagery this writing is so much like the visions you have when watching the news reports on TV.
ReplyDeleteThis gave me the chills...! Great writing :D
ReplyDeleteThe fullness of emptiness - yes..can empathise with this wonderful poem...such stark imagery and immediacy...sometimes a persons demise carries more of a story than the sadness of their lives..no excuse for getting in a car loaded but still..there's alway a reason
ReplyDeleteThere is an element of better burn out than fade away.. to run and run until you hit that wall and all is empty.. works so well both for real and as metaphor.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was lovely. Greetings to you.
ReplyDeleteOMG, Pearl, shocking – and a little masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteNice. I really like this. Especially "as trees
ReplyDeletesailed with demon silence"
Reading this poem left me breathless! Love the contrast between 'a full tank of gas' and 'running on empty.' And I picture her at the end .....lying broken at the side of the road.
ReplyDeleteincredible.
ReplyDeletethis really is horrific in content, yet a very skillful bit of writing
ReplyDeletehave a nice Sunday
much love...
This is a powerful write...."she flew, buddy, she flew...." Good one, Pearl!
ReplyDeletei love this.
ReplyDeletemakes me want to take my hair down and go for a wild drive.
As I was reading this I could feel the impending danger...sometimes we need to be more cautious or we will be running on empty as the last bit of gas will be gone with a dying breath.
ReplyDeleteLove the progression here, Pearl.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
ReplyDeleteZQ
Oh this reminds me of my driving a stick shift down mountain roads...give me sped. Loved 'she flew fast as a soft sell candy to
ReplyDeletea kid with cash and a craving tooth'
A perfect description.
Oh, this is like before disaster...wishing to say: slow down, please....
ReplyDeleteYou capture the speed, as well as the need, beautifully,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Crash! The silence is eerie given what goes through her windshield when she gives up. I adore the breathless speed of this poem. Now I'm going to pick up the pieces.
ReplyDeleteScary start to a dangerous night. Good one, Pearl.
ReplyDeletePowerful! The contrast between empty and full, running-sailing-flying and full stop give it much depth.
ReplyDeleteOh how often we each might be 'running on empty.' I like what you did.
ReplyDeletethe description is cool.
ReplyDeleteIntense. It says a lot with a little. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThe horror of seeing that happen should be enough to make every one drive smarter.
ReplyDeletebless your day.
ReplyDeleteScary aind intense, and very tightly crafted. You took me with you on this deadly ride
ReplyDeletegood luck,
ReplyDeletethe turning point in each phrase makes us wonder,
thanks for the inspirations.
A great read. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt the rush of danger.
ReplyDelete