An Impromptu Road Trip

An Impromptu Road Trip

 

On the road,

no destination as a goal.

She just dropped into the driver’s seat,

cranked the engine, ready for her retreat--

a retreat she hadn’t planned

until an hour ago when the mundane she could no longer stand.

Now, her hands gripped the steering wheel at two and ten,

her road trip is about to begin.

For the first time in forever, she feels light;
though she’s packed a small suitcase in a flash of time,

she hadn’t truly been aware

she was driving away her cares.

Driving feels luxurious,

not allowing herself to be nervous.

No, she left those pesky nerves behind,

which is the reason for this impromptu road trip.

With her window open, the wind through her hair whips,

breathing in the forceful air, she tries not to lose that breath.

Once on the highway, her head leans on the headrest.

She reaches for the radio dial,

then opts to drive in quiet for a while.

There’s much going through her mind,

as peace she attempts to find.

What was she doing on this road trip?

This, she asks herself as the steering wheel she continues to grip.

Unshed tears sting her eyes.

Tears she’s had to hide.

But now she allows them to slide…

salty streams flow to quivering lips.

What a trip.

Her life has been a royal mess,

but right now, she refuses to stress.

Right now, she wants to think of nothing but the highway

and the miles ahead that lay.

The more mileage she covers,

the more relaxed she becomes, as stress no longer hovers.

Her grip loosens as she seemingly glides,

as she catches glimpses of the big blue sky.

This is just what she needed,

and she’s glad to have heeded.

A time to go somewhere unknown--

somewhere untold.

New scenes to behold,

new thoughts to bestow.

She’s breathing more deeply, in and out,

and feels at peace somehow.

She’s been driving three hours now,

and finds herself turning the car around.

There would be no use for the suitcase.

She is headed back home to stay.

She just needed to let her tears rip,

on an impromptu road trip.

 

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

May 3, 2021

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I can relate to this story I really enjoyed this read

[Melinda McQueen]

Thank you for reading. I appreciate you.