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Final Drive

Katie Frances Hartless
,

Raindrops splatter windowpanes, split the skin.

Scalpels in pointed grass, sterile instruments.

Pitter-patter pavement, needles and pins,

Stoplights flood code red, numbed by anesthesia.

Wipers squeak, gurney wheels on slick vinyl.

Branches breathe toxins, pensive preparation.

Drips wrung from a full-soaked surgical sun

splatter the top of the mobile operation.

Gray matter runoff and vital organs.

Broken asphalt blurs a deep depression.

Count backward over the final pothole.

Steer straight towards a sedentary life.

Commute to stay alive.

Tunnel vision, final drive.

© 2022 | K.Hartless

A pseudo-slipstream sonnet that I wrote on a stormy day, water splattering car windows in a jam waiting for a crash to clear. I’d love to read your reactions.

29 responses to “Final Drive”

  1. Jim W. Avatar
    Jim W.

    ❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      💜 Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Mister Bump UK Avatar
    Mister Bump UK

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      It’s the perfect counterpoint. Thanks, Mr. B.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Mister Bump UK Avatar
        Mister Bump UK

        better than just saying “misereable sod”, eh?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. K.Hartless Avatar
        K.Hartless

        It’s difficult to escape as a rip open the seams of my novel and try stitching it back together and praying it isn’t a frankenstein.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Mister Bump UK Avatar
        Mister Bump UK

        Oh dear you are on a downer 😀

        Like

  3. theweesmirk Avatar
    theweesmirk

    “Drips wrung from a full-soaked surgical sun

    splatter the top of the mobile operation.

    Gray matter runoff and vital organs.

    Broken asphalt blurs a deep depression.”

    I love the imagery of this entire piece but I really like these lines especially. Gives an eerie feeling that I adore!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you so much for this encouraging feedback. This little grey cloud of a sonnet, and I admit it’s grown on me as I’ve pecked away it. I’m appreciative of your kind words.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. theweesmirk Avatar
        theweesmirk

        You’re welcome! 😁

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Simone E Avatar
    Simone E

    Absolutely loved this! Well written and descriptive 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you so much, Simone. I don’t dare do sonnets too frequently as all those syllables hurts the head. Do you enjoy penning sonnets?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Simone E Avatar
        Simone E

        Lol, I can definitely understand that! You’ve done a great job at it now, although I honestly don’t love doing them as I prefer spontaneity and yes, as you said, all those syllables can definitely hurt the head 😂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. K.Hartless Avatar
        K.Hartless

        Yes. I must now wait to forget how much of a headache they are before I even think of penning another one 😂😂💜

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Simone E Avatar
        Simone E

        Lol 😂

        Liked by 2 people

  5. johnlmalone Avatar
    johnlmalone

    a strong, cutting sonnet; I wouldn’t want to be out in it —

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you, John. Yes, sometimes you get caught up in something and the only way out is through. (Why is it so hard to be happy in the summer, sometimes? It’s as if the nice weather just worsens my moods.)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. johnlmalone Avatar
        johnlmalone

        that’s a tough question; I find the opposite though heatwaves can be a real downer —

        Liked by 1 person

      2. K.Hartless Avatar
        K.Hartless

        Indeed. I love the fall, and find the season best suits me. But I look forward to summer, maybe it’s just that it doesn’t live up to my expectations. Maybe the bar is set too high for the season?

        Liked by 1 person

      3. johnlmalone Avatar
        johnlmalone

        yes, K; set the bar a little lower like I am doing this winter; it works 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Very haunting descriptions that paint a wonderfully vivid scene, K! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you, Tom. It takes a traffic jam to really squeeze so strange a sonnet out of me. I appreciate your feedback. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. EclecticMusicLover Avatar
    EclecticMusicLover

    Such vivid and powerful imagery evoked by your words. And I love the song and video, which I was not familiar with.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Yes, Ghost Woman’s first album just came out this past week, and I enjoyed jamming to it in that traffic jam so much, I included it here… A bit secretive that group. I’m so glad you enjoyed the sonnet and the song. Cheers!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Jeff Flesch Avatar
    Jeff Flesch

    It relates to me a pensiveness, and the anxiety of driving, especially on open highways. I like the start stops of the verse, which remind me driving in heavy metropolitan traffic. Still reflecting. Awesome write, K.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Yes. There can be a lot of that around here. It alls tarted when those fat raindrops hit the windshield and it seemed to split it open like skin. I’m glad you enjoyed this sonnet, Jeff. It encourages me greatly, so thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jeff Flesch Avatar
        Jeff Flesch

        Ah, I can see that split on the windshield, thank you for describing that for me. You’re welcome, K. Always.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. K.Hartless Avatar
        K.Hartless

        I’m glad you get it. Unsolicited explanations available any time. 😂💜You’re very welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Jeff Flesch Avatar
        Jeff Flesch

        😂💜

        Liked by 1 person

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Katie Frances Hartless

K.F. Hartless (she/her) is a free-spirited fiction writer and word trapeze artist. When she’s not juggling her career as a literacy specialist, she’s preparing her latest death-defying act on the keys.

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