Distracted Driving

My hand is on the stick shift,
and your hand is on my hand…
-“Next In Line”, by Walk the Moon

You’re together
in the car at night,
and you’ve slowed
for a turn, heart
beating faster
than the signal,
and it would be
simple to be blinded
by her skin, the path
of a single strand
of hair: easy to miss
the pedestrian,
dark soft form
stepping along
the crosswalk
and into danger.
It would be simple
to be betrayed
in this way by love.

Online Dating Profile as Car Insurance Provider

Hello, I would like
to offer you a quote,

I would like to pay
for all your accidents

(minus your deductible).
My monthly premiums

are very affordable,
and if you are willing

to spend just a moment
with me to determine

your discounts for safe
driving and emotionality,

I would love to get you
signed up right away.

I promise this process
will be worth your time,

and the only time
you’ll need to think of me

is when something’s wrong.

Collision

Blaze of twisting
light
& the tearing shriek
cauterizes our horizons, your eyes
wither, an unmade season
of boundless sky above & below this hurtling
glass. You have only always been
mystery to me,
thin line of a trajectory of collective debris,
an impact satellite
launched in blue fury & decay.
I smile. You glance away. Friction betrays us.