Scribblings from the Mitchy Side

Reposted with permission**. Written by Taylor Mali. More poetry can be found at his website Definitely Beautiful. Go check it out. At once :D


The Grumble to the Rumble to the Groove to the Glide*

First Gear

First gear is all about the grumble and the grrr,
the rough and tumble whir of clutch engaging
with the moaning hunk of churning junk,
combustion burning, gravelly groaning
of the engine turning over deep inside.
First gear is the start of the ride.

Second gear

Second gear is more of a rumble, moved on
from first gear's drumming grumble;
now there's a urgent rhythm humming,
an emergent thrumming, fervent, a fire
becoming an urging and a coming into speed.
Second gear: Desire becoming need.

Third Gear

Third gear is when you've found your groove,
you're moving and grooving and smoothing
the soul's erratic unraveled load, vibration
now is near ecstatic, like a tree branch brushed
over a gravel road at the end of every day.
In third gear you are well on your way.

Fourth Gear

Fourth gear is all about the glide.
The world goes by while you sit inside
and watch it pass. You may not be complete
or completely satisfied, but no one can touch you
alone in your ride, or know how much you
need to drive sometimes to work things out
inside your head. Exhausted? Dead? Tired? Fried?
Get the grumble to the rumble to the groove to the glide.

*If your car has a fifth gear—
if you are that lucky and free—
than you already know
that Fifth Gear is the Wheee!


**Taylor advises that the poem may change in the future.