SOUTHBOUND IN THE FAST LANE

By Raymond Ziemer

Some character cut me off on the interstate last night.

This Kia nearly clipped my fender and

Sent me swerving into the slow lanes,

Slaloming through the rush-hour rapids,

Barely missing a minivan,

As I spun out,

Skidded to a stop,

and stalled on the shoulder

Shaken

and

Stirred

to Vengeance.

Trembling mad I turned the engine over,

And leaped back into the roaring torrent,

Pedal floored

and tore along

racing through the stream in a blinded rage.

I caught up to the Kia at the top of an exit ramp,

Leaped out and dashed to the car,

tore wide the door, and

Dragged the driver out onto the pavement

Pummeling his stupid face

Oh yes

I thrashed his sorry carcass

Until he squealed apologies

And swore he’d be a better person.

At least that’s how I imagined it.