The drive home/ after~work

No music today.

Instead, an incessant “rattle”

sunglasses against my Ilia

lipstick, shade “At Last”.

As the plugged white cord

“scrapes” the edge of the dash

quietly, yet annoyingly~“rubbing“ and hanging to the floor.

Suddenly, a constant “click, clack”

the green arrow, turning left.

Then, one big “swish, swoosh”

the rain, “swiped” clean.

Collecting on the windshield

after the “spritz”~ sun shower. Light droplets heard as only

just a “pitter”. Pitter turns ”patter”

within the next “tick” of the clock. “Tick, tick”.… another

“swish, swoosh“ is coming near.

It’s raining harder now.

One Egyptian bead “swaying”, slightly “tapping” the carved

wood symbol of Peace;

hanging, “gliding”

to and from the mirror.

Another “click, click, click”, (turning right this time).

“Swish, swoosh“ away more water.

All the droplets pooling

but the blinker keeps “clicking“ long after the turn. “Clunk”.

“Snap” back the handle in place-

a vehicle recall never fixed

(to lazy to call).

“Ahhh” …. a long “yawn”,

for a long day .… “sniff“

(low immune system).

“Swish, swoosh”, my hand leaves the steering wheel once again

to click down the handle.

The rain continues to fall.

Then, my daily reminder,

steady “beeping”,

steady “beeping”

accompanied by

the flashing red image.

”Seatbelt, beep, seatbelt, beep“. “Swiisshh”. Wet pavement tracks, seen in shiny grey reflections.

Swerve, “kerplunk“,

the every day traveled

broken pavement

“da~dum, rattle, da~dum” bumps, uneven car tilts “groans”

“swoooooo” around and past

that part of the road~

smooth pavement again.

“Whirling“ tires, slowing pads, “whining“ breaks to stop at red.

“Click, click”, blinker turns left

(past the batting cages this time).

“Crack”- fly ball.

“Giggles” and youthful “flirts“ heard through the half open window. “Weeeen wwoooon“ ….

the electric window goes up,

no more rain on the inside handle. No more giggles.

Pay attention to the busy road.

Last turn. No blinker.

Slowing to stop,

car “rattles”~ sunglasses too,

while the wipers keep

“swish, swooshing“ until, “badadadadum” … big “click“

and a sudden jerk into park.

Then the “click” of the keys

turns it all into “silence”.