TUVA Turtle

My turn to drive
In the marathon
Trip from NY
To Michigan

To attend
My brother’s
Graduation
From MSU

Settling in
behind the wheel

I'm listening
To the Tuva song
of the highway:

Humming tires
Mixed with the
rhythmic

thud/thud
thud/thud

they make
passing
over the expansion
Joints -

Up ahead
a small spec

At the edge
Of the roadway's
shoulder -

a box turtle -
Neck stretched out
As far as it can go -

Contemplating
Crossing
The four lane highway

Or just listening
To the Tuva
Of the passing cars

An important
Decision

unfinished poem

I made the mistake
Of visiting
An old, unfinished poem:

“Just lend me a few words -
I only need a few words to get through this…”

“I can’t” – i said -
“You know it’s not a matter of a few words…”
“I have to go…”

“…Just a few words…that’s all I need…”

”I’m sorry..no…”

“why the hell do you keep coming back then…
...get out…”

Back on the street, I think:

“Why do I keep going back?"

"Why is it so hard to let go
of unfinished poems?"

Why?