Fast Car Summertime

I came across an old Suzanne Vega album and hearing the quoted lyrics triggered these memories.

“And we can only say yes now
To the sky, to the street, to the night”
Suzanne Vega

Moon lets fall her gaze
Upon swinging piston peristalsis
Pushing us to knife the night
Along that snaking tarmac
To the sky

2am pedal down
Top down
Leaping from valley warmth
Into frigid mountain air
Cranking the heater
Cranking that turbo
Leaning low in our seats
Above our heads the biting wind
Ankles hot

I swear the car feels joy
As the needle of her tach gauge
Leaps and bucks
As we fly down straights
Boulders, trees, guardrails
Flashing through peripheral vision
Lights on bright lighting our speed
The hard brake into corners with
Risk of springing surprise
Nope no deer nor even opposum
Slamming her back out of each curve

Laughing and shouting, slicing
Through cold, delicious darkness
Summertime happy
Drunk on joy

Ever up
Then over Steven’s Pass or

Will we continue straight on
Peddle to the metal to mingle
In the glitter of those stars?

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Michael...this is definitely a joy ride, and vividly described..." laughing and shouting, slicing through cold delicious darkness"....seems like a thrilling experience, but I am a coward!!!
vivid words to describe what the ride is like...
Warmly, B

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thanks Betty, sometimes we need to be cowards!

[Betty Hermelee]

Maybe!!! My pleasure Michael
Warmly, B

[Desert Knave]

Love it. Makes me miss the days of roaring down the road in my 72 Catalina. ~Jim

[Michael Sun Bear]

Glad you like it. I’ve always loved fast cars and interesting road rips.

[Davidgeo]

I like it.

You should open with the second stanza. It's a good hook.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thank you. I like your idea, I’ll see how it strikes me in the morning.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Ok, I gave it some thought and realized when envisioning the story, I guess I wanted a Hollywood opening: the scene first seen from high in the sky, then zooming in closer and closer, not only to the physicality of the ride, bur even dipping into emotions. For now, I am going to leave as is.