I had a no car day today. I walked the loop past the cemetery, biked to the post office, and mowed the neighbor’s lawn. I watered things and vacuumed up grass clumps and cat hair. I watched a couple episodes of “Monk” and a Katherine Hepburn documentary and the Mariners game. I finished the last of the peppermint chocolate bar from Christmas and made myself some avocado toast. I’m now giving myself an assignment: write a poem about my day.
I had a no car day today
moving through the green of May
on my bike and my feet
breathing in air that’s sweet
with the smell of spring blossoms
And I sat in my comfy chair
and watched Hepburn, Monk, and the Mariners
and Hepburn lost her brother
and Monk lost his wife
and the Mariners lost their game
I had peppermint chocolate
and avocado toast
mowed the neighbor’s lawn
and rode my bike to the post
(office)
And now I’m watching game shows
and watching people win
and here’s a commercial with people
driving across a long bridge, clapping,
no hands on the wheel –
and I find this kind of disturbing
I had a no car day today
moving through the green of May
on my bike and my feet
breathing in air that’s sweet
with the smell of spring blossoms
-Karen Molenaar Terrell