Highway Hypnosis

The Blue Ridge comes into view,
shy on cloudy days,
obscured by fog and white noise,
trucks barreling south on the highway.

They think they own 81,
and the dreams inspired
between billboards,
dented railings, 
and rest stop signs
are all on loan 
from the white-walled phantoms
that make tarmac wail.

When I pass one,
I look into the rearview,
salute the turnpike king,
the one that came before me,
and the one who will 
ride in my calvary
as I speed toward the place
sorrow can't follow:

white line fever,
hypnosis,
the dead zone.

On the blue highway 
I'm never alone.

Artwork: Keith Kimmel (known as the art of kEith)

18 responses to “Highway Hypnosis”

100 Country Trek

Thanks for sharing this idea. Anita

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks, Anita. The highway always puts me in a sort of trance, but I like that I can really hear my spirit speak during those long drives.
  
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  1. 100 Country Trek
    
    Take care
    
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Tom

Very eerie descriptions of new landmarks melting out of the mist – really captures that feeling of solitude on the open road 🙂

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Tom. I tried to describe that hypnotic moment that happens when driving where you are “in the zone.” I’m glad you enjoyed this one, friend. 💜
  
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  1. Tom
    
    Could definitely identify with this! You conveyed that perfectly ❤
    
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johnlmalone

the last 7 lines nail it for me: ‘as I speed towards the place where sorrow can’t follow’ — been on that road before: the ‘zombie’ zone —

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, John. I realized how easy it is for me to “zone out” on the road, but I think my inner spirit speaks more clearly in those times as well.
  
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beth

you’ve described this phenomenon so well

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Beth. I realized this is where some of those “driving” stories come from. That twilight zone when I can hear some voice other than my own.
  
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Nicole Smith

This really describes it well. I hate long car rides though. I never drive because I’m terrified I’m going to fall asleep at the wheel. I drive everyday, I just don’t do long journeys.

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Nicole. I get it. I think there’s definitely a trance-like state that I go into on long drives. I’m there, but I’m somewhere else, too.
  
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Colleen M. Chesebro

Oh this is so brilliant!

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you, Colleen. I appreciate your comments so much.
  
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Michele Lee

I imagine you writing this at a rest or truck stop. You’ve introduced a different perspective from a familiar experience. Fantastic!

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Well, this one was penned on the couch, but I was letting my mind go back to that last long drive. I think truck-stop poetry could be a big hit, though. Thank you so much, Michele.
  
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  1. Michele Lee
    
    Would be an interesting poetry collection or series. I’d be happy to share a few. 😁 Welcome, K.
    
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Bridgette

This might be one of my favorite poems of yours. It’s beautiful and fully immersive. Well done!

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