PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

Yes, it’s dangerous. Yes, we run a big risk of getting hurt, we know believe us. But the speed… oh my god. It makes the risks worth it every time. The wind whipping our hair back as we shift gears, the music playing so loud you can feel it all over your body, matching to the beat of our hearts. The adrenaline! It’s crazy how just a simple race can make you feel so powerful, so in control. We gather around the abandoned airport lanes every Thursday and we race, every damn time. It simple really, you drive straightforward, reach the roundabout and then you’re back. There is only one race per night. Chuck decides who will race the beginning of the night and the racers get to choose whomever they want beside them at shotgun. I shouldn’t need to say it, it’s clearly a given but the best seat is the driver’s seat. As soon as you close the car doors and turn on the engine you feel connected to the car. It’s like there’s an electric current going from the engine straight thru you. It all goes quiet as someone yells the countdown, you can hear everybody breathing… and then everything explodes. Your body gets pressed into the seat, you can feel and see anything but at the same time you think about nothing but the race. It’s a moment of peace where everything else gets forgotten and you leave all your problems behind for just a few minutes. I missed it so much. I was not allowed to drive for the time being, not since the accident. “It’s beyond dangerous,” they said, and I argued until someone mentions James. “He wouldn’t let you drive if you weren’t ready” and it’s true, so I stopped driving. But every night I came and watched the races I missed it so much I think it would physically hurt me. And it was all starting to be a little to much for me until one month ago when Chuck announced it was time to let me drive again. They all agreed that no one should ride shotgun with me for the time being and that I would race the newbie. I couldn’t believe it; I was so excited I became speechless. Chuck handed me the keys and whispered in my ear “just drive, don’t try to win the race, just get back in the game, that’s all.” I promised I would be okay and got in the car. I hadn’t been here in months but you don’t forget how to race, just like you don’t forget how to ride a bicycle, it all comes back to you. I turned the engine on and waited for the countdown, as soon as they said, “Go!” I heard Chuck say, “Wait, I forgot!” but I was gone. It was wonderful really I could never explain in words. I screamed and laughed my head off, adrenaline pumping thru my veins. The newbie was eating my dust. But then as I was getting close to the roundabout I saw the lane I would normally take was closed. Chuck must have forgotten to tell me they switched lanes now. I started to panic, I didn’t think I had time to switch lanes this close to the roundabout. I was going to crash, I was sure of it, but then I heard him. So close I jumped. “Switch gears, NOW before the turn” I couldn’t turn my head without taking my eyes of the rode but I swear it was him. I switch gears, pressing down hard on the clutch and I was able to dip right thru the turn, taking it all the way around. Just getting out of the roundabout I stepped on the breaks so hard sparks flied, all the way until the car made a complete stop. I turned too look at the passenger seat but I was alone. Everyone ran to meet me and Chuck pulled me out of the car. It’s all fuzzy to me, what they asked, if I was okay and apologizing, but I was in complete bliss. I been told that everyone gets over a loss differently, they deal with it in their own way and sometimes they get addicted to things like cooking or gardening to feel the void in their hearts. But if this is my way, no matter how reckless it is I take it, because like I said the risks… they are worth it.