The Way of the Wheels

Each champion crushes the wheels
that came before it
to form a monument to speed.

Slick tarmacs, checkered flags,
revved engines,
on the racetrack

nothing’s guaranteed.

So we cruise.
Nascar and booze.

Victory isn’t about the pit crew,
the fireproof suit,
the driver under the roof.

Winning comes down to
where you were made:
nitrogen in the tires,
the welded frame, the roll cage.

Craftsmanship is what wins a crusade.

All crushed frames have a story to tell,
but the ones drafting onto the leaderboard
to be the next king of the hill,
driving themselves to depletion,
hell-bent on full speed.

High on oxycontin and weed.

What a spot 
to slingshot to the top,
if only for one season.

Visual Verse August Prompt

Cover Art: Marie-Michèle Bouchard

Oliver Anthony “Rich Men North of Richmond”

16 responses to “The Way of the Wheels”

J M Negi

👌👍💐

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  🙏💜
  
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100 Country Trek

This definitely caught my attention. Anita

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  I’m glad it did. It was written and then it started rewriting itself. Thanks, Anita.
  
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John

Wow, this was amazing to read, K! I was in a race car, then came the drugs.

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Oh man. 💜 I hope you’ll share sometime about your race car days. I wrote this innocent poem about race cars, but when I went to post it, it spun out in its own direction. I love it when that happens.
  
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  1. John
    
    Well, I meant that this is how I perceived your poem. Apologies. 🫣
    
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johnlmalone

it’s an exhilaration we should all feel once —

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  Yes, indeed. I tend to coast in the middle of the pack for too long and forget I’m even in a race.🤣
  
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Anonymous

I enjoyed reading your poem. I’ve never been to a race, but I’ve watched them on TV sometimes.
Good song, too. 🙂

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1. ghostmmnc
  
  BTW that anonymous was me – Barbara aka ghost 🙂
  
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  1. K.F. Hartless
    
    😉 nice. Thanks for popping by.
    
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2. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you. I remember NASCAR parties growing up, but I don’t watch them anymore. I’m so glad you like the tune as well. It’s a powerful one, I think.
  
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3. K.F. Hartless
  
  Thank you. I’ve also never seen a race, but I enjoyed taking on this theme.
  
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Anonymous

🙂 🙂

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1. K.F. Hartless
  
  😀
  
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