All bundled up, I left the house early for a professional development session that I designed on writing. I was on time as I entered the lane for the parkway. Then, the cars started slowing down.
"What was it this time, an accident?
It could not be the weather because the sun was shining brightly and there were no gusty winds, snow, or rain. It was at that point that I realized my answer was in my last thought. Sun glare was the culprit. It was time to pay closer attention to the road. Red lights popped up in front of me, behind me, and on the other side of the parkway. Stop. Go. "Where are my sunglasses?" Pay attention! The repeated chant became a pattern as the care stayed its course during the morning rush.
cars lined parkway lanes
in a flurry of hurry-
morning rush hour
©CV, 2020
As I drove a string of thoughts popped in my head and kept bouncing around. Would I remember the poem that was brewing? I had no time in the morning to write it down. My day was so busy that I had no time to write and my nighttime event was hosting a gathering for friends who were in town.
My morning observation led to a highway haiku. It's late and I finally have time to write.
Side Notes:
Traffic on Long Island is usually intense in the morning in the rush to get to work safely.
Since my workshop shares new digital tools to engage students in writing, my photo of traffic was transformed into digital art with the app, Prisma.
Each year since March 2015, I engage in Two Writing Teacher's Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge.
Slicing allows me to ponder life, literacy, and learning, capturing small moments poetically
through writing, photography, and digital art.
Day 2 of 31 days of writing March Slice of Life 2020 Story Challenge at Two Writing Teachers
I get that sun glare on my way to work also. I'm trying to appreciate it this week since next week our time will change and it will be dark when I drive to work. I'm not sure which is worse. I enjoyed your conversation with yourself.
ReplyDeleteYou brought up a good point. Daylight savings time offers us positives on one end but a loss of one hour of sleep on the other. Happy Slicing!
DeleteI love this! It has a warmth of conversation that feels like a window into secret thoughts. It is reflective. It is rosy. It is reminiscent. It is real. I love the accompanying illustrations and enjoyed its narrative nuances. Glad you met your goal! Very nicely done ☺️
ReplyDeleteI was not sure if I would make the 11:59 PM time but I did it. Thanks for stopping by with your thoughts. Happy Slicing!
DeleteThis ->
ReplyDelete"Would I remember the poem that was brewing?"
is me, most days, driving when suddenly, the fragments of a poem begin to emerge ...
"Would I remember the poem that was brewing?"
Sometimes. Sometimes, not.
:)
Kevin
Kevin, it is amazing to me how many poems have fleeted away during the course of a day.
DeleteOh Carol, I could so picture this. Sun glare slow down. That's kind of a new idea to me. With the grey days here, I'd find the LI brightness a challenge for sure. We generally head west and if heading home are on the road at 5. Trying to beat the traffic........mostly no longer possible!!!I think your Haiku's spot on especially the flurry of hurry. I don't join in Slicing, but I love the concept and reading about others' lives. Janet F.
ReplyDeleteJanet, I am heading into Syracuse weather tomorrow for a state conference at OCM BOCES-trying to surmise what the weather will be. It will most certainly be a change from Long Island. Perhaps, a poem will arise during my time there.
DeleteSun glare is horrible. At times when we are driving home the sun is just at that angle where the visor doesn't block it. It really makes driving a challenge.
ReplyDeleteYES and on Long Island that is not good. Yesterday afternoon, I saw the aftermath of a horrible accident in broad daylight.
DeleteYour creativity shows up in unexpected places. Only a poet could find a haiku in a slow traffic where most people complain. :)
ReplyDelete