The Marauder
Light turns green, it's time to go!
This poem is copyrighted 1983. It may not be reproduced or published in any form, including but not limited to anthologies, CD ROM, periodicals, and/or newspapers without the express written consent of the author. It may be used by individual instructors for limited classroom use. As a courtesy, instructors should e-mail the author decribing how and in what context it was used.
Don't turn red, no time to know.
Speedometers pegged at a hundred and twenty,
but now the needles bent, you're doin' that and plenty.
The pedal's pushed on down to the floor,
but, oh, you want just a little more.
The lights behind you flashing red.
The sign says, "Caution, Curve Ahead."
You fly on through at 85,
you made the curve, you're still alive.
The lights are gone you're on your own,
doin' a hundred and forty and all alone.
A straightaway and down goes the pedal again,
it's wound around to 45, which really means 210!
It shakes a little but the traction is good,
the engine held up, you knew that it would.
The marauder you built with your sweat and your hands,
you built it to meet all your demands.
But the engine coughs and then it dies,
and as you look at the gas gauge you realize,
the gas is all spent and so are your tears,
now you must face your life and your fears.
The light is red, and soon will be green,
and no matter how wrong the road taken may seem,
there's a crossroads ahead, another choice to be made,
no longer a feeling of regret, or of being afraid.
Ahead lies the future, behind you the past,
you lived like you drove, daring and fast.
But slow down now and look at the sights along the way,
and stop every now and then and savor each new day.