When cruising up the highway none intrude

Upon the plan you mapped down to the hour

Machine and man united form a power

To crash objectives for your sullen mood,

Is there no prop to change your attitude?

Perhaps a sprinkle of purple wildflower

Along the desert foothill or April shower

To gray then blue the sky, these may collude

To lift the grimness of your steady march;

See there! A field of California poppy

Eye blinding in its orange intensity

Wayfarers look and linger, emotion-charged.

Though people stop, their hearts intoxicated

You soldier on, your progress unabated.

 

 

April 5, 2003