Hammer on steel.
After working the same track
for twenty or so,
she finally shifted her gears.
With nothing but timing
and stars in alignment,
she hitched a ride
for a few years.

Foot to break.
The same freeway
day after day;
a sheep in a fleet of her peers,
she took the next exit,
unsure their direction,
but with fuel to survive
a couple more years.

Babies on board,
she fastens two seat belts;
watches them learn how to steer.
With the whistle,
they guess which cars will appear.
But the freight moves faster,
blurred like the best of her years.

Four figures align:
two boys and two girls.
Total eclipses,
and for once, the forecast is clear.
Parties and viruses, all in the rear.
In the path of totality, she realizes
her purpose is here
after waiting all of those years.

©2024 | K.F. Hartless


Cover Art: Shane Lawson

Sierra Ferrel “Years”

Prompt: Write a poem that is inspired by a piece of music, and that shares its title with that piece of music.

5 responses to “Years”

  1. she took a while getting there, but she seems to have reached some sort of denouement; the eclipse image is well employed —

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, John. Yes, I’m quite sure my son a daughter will eclipse us in due time.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. yes, I guess the same goes for me — and that’s what we hope – that they do well ..

        Liked by 1 person

  2. A beautiful journey set against the harsh modern backdrop🚗🚸

    Like

  3. Feeling this one, thank you for this moving share, K. 💞

    Liked by 1 person

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