Thursday, February 12, 2015.
It’s 6:12 am.
Overcast, and 17° F. Pre-dawn.
The Groundhog forecasts 6 more weeks, he’s been wrong before.
I-95 South is dry.
The wind kicks up road salt, swirling behind the mud flaps of convoys of truckers barreling into Manhattan.
It’s a race to beat the morning Rush. Smokey & The Bandit. Snowman. Buford T. Justice.
Traffic is light and smooth. VO Manhattan. Neat.
Same car.
Same highway.
Same route.
Same Ólafur Arnalds’ playlist.
Same destination.
Same damn biting cold.
Yet, The Same can’t blacken the Mood.
No Sir. Not today.
There is Light, an abundance of Light.
Three consecutive nights, back-to-back-to-back. The rhythmic swing of a rocking chair, sans dreams and turns. A young boy sleeping after hours of play in the backyard. Mind awakens, now clear of webs. Colors vivid. Drinking from fresh, cool glacier runoff.
Optimism fills the cockpit.
I’m flying low over the beaches in Mazatlán, Montego Bay and Miami. The fronds on the Palm Trees rustle. Spring isn’t far now. Sun warms my face.
I pull into the parking garage.
I step out of the car, and quick-step into the building.
There’s the Tiger.
And its Tail.
I’m brushing it with my fingertips.
Game Time.
Notes:
- Photograph: Themetapicture.com. Thanks Susan.
- Related Posts: Driving Series
That was a lovely ride David. Memories and anticipation both drinking from the same cool glacier runoff. Same becomes all new.
Thank you Helen. So true. Same does become new.
Oooooooh get you! Now stopping you now Tiger. Wouldn’t want to run into you in some dark overgrown jungle office corridor. Keep up the good work!
Smiling. Thank you Michael. Don’t think I didn’t have your thoughts running through my head. “Take a different route. Take a different route.” (Your words in your comment on this post still ringing. This back from July 2013. http://davidkanigan.com/2013/07/25/same/)
Beautiful writing! Love your poetry…
Thank you for the kind words Lucia. Appreciate it.
You know how I love these internal monologues–masterful–and I’m beyond tickled that you’ve been sleeping. Makes all the difference. Onward and upward to our “snow hurricane” weekend, pal! 😊
WLS – this lioness is chuffing with delight at the thought that you have gotten some sleep…and there is nothing you post – nothing – that I love more than your writing..
Thank you both. You warm my heart….
Then my work here is done .. 🙂
our hearts and minds can take us places that our cars never can imagine. you write beautifully, dk.
Thank you for the kind words Beth.
Really powerful imagery, David. Very moving, although I do not know your Tiger. Wishing you well, though, and a safe dry ride back up the highway.
Thank you for the kind words. Appreciate it very much.
There is no doubt in my mind you tamed that tiger.
On that day, yes I did. 🙂
The whole world changes with enough sleep. The whole inner landscape, too.
Does it ever!