I only dream of journeys,
various point As to their matching

point Bs. No longer a passenger,
both hands must stay on the wheel,

eyes on the road, foot jiggling
carefully as it hovers above

the accelerator. I see accidents again
and again-- I can't count the amount

of times per day on my fingers.
Is there not a better way, an emptier

road, to get us where we need to go?
Always asking the wrong questions--

I do not know, maybe have never known,
where I am headed. So I go on,

in control of the car I fear so much.

I hope you enjoyed this little piece! Half of the inspiration I get these days is from my daily drives to and from school… although I am no stranger to car rides, driving so much more often is a bit intimidating. There’s a ton of construction on the freeways and other roads where I live and it’s really brought out the craziness in people. Feel free to leave feedback and writing challenges in the comments. Stay safe and healthy out there.

Brooke

I long for a distant summer, 
wandering around the arcade,
eating a bowl of shaved ice the size
of my head with no other responsibilities.
Empty streets in the dead heat
were miserable for too long,
yet now I miss the sun's attention,
so focused on the dirt roads
and me. Maybe it's too small
of a place, could drive you crazy
after a while, but right now, 
it is quiet and green, all I am hoping
for. Ice cream is sweeter, 
and every day seems to bring
a series of old-fashioned comfort
food served on wood picnic tables.
We can live in a photo of the old
American dream for a while, can't we?
Even if only for a day.

I hope you enjoyed this piece! I’ve been feeling pretty nostalgic lately for a variety of reasons– realizing I’m almost a senior in high school, realizing it’s finally summer, and realizing both how far I’ve come and how far I still have to go before becoming an adult. Feel free to leave feedback and writing challenges in the comments. Stay safe and healthy out there.

Brooke

Eyes heavy, sky finally dark
It's time to end the day but

when I close my eyes, I am haunted. 
Rapid eye movement underneath

closed lids, the room is spinning
and I can feel it twisting and turning

around me. It is too late for this,
body too droopy and brain much too

drowsy. We are almost always so ready
to head to bed. What about when

our bodies don't give in? I am being
kept awake, held prisoner in my bed,

forced to think about how odd it is
to sit here, lie here. There is so much

potential, even strength, in learning
how to let yourself go-- to have full control.

Isn't that all we hope for?

I hope you enjoyed this short little piece! It was inspired by a few nights ago when I was having trouble sleeping and became all too aware of just how my body felt while trying to force it to sleep. Please feel free to leave feedback and writing challenges in the comments. Stay safe and healthy out there.

Brooke

I hope to walk this path alone
just for a little while, to appreciate

the quiet, become the faint rustling
of the leaves as they brush back

against branches. It is tiring 
to be among others for so long; 

the wish for rest becomes necessity.
I have never been camping before,

but there are days when I understand
the appeal. I, too, would like to escape.

Green has become one of my favorite
colors-- wouldn't it be something special

to look up and see green in the sky?
Perhaps that evokes a sinister image

of chemicals and superhero movie villains,
but I see calm spreading like a blanket

over me, and me alone. 

I hope you enjoyed this piece! Life is getting super chaotic since I have all of my AP tests coming up and the school year is almost over– it’s crazy to think about. This piece was inspired by my self-reflection regarding my introverted ways. I’m really craving some solid alone time and relaxation right now… good thing summer isn’t too far away. Please feel free to leave feedback and writing challenges in the comments. Stay safe and healthy out there.

Brooke

I see this road differently in the dark
The freshly painted white lines glowing

Each traffic light blurring as I zoom past
Does everything move faster at night?

Fifty-five feels like eighty-five now
and I, an avoider of adventure, could drive

on forever if each stretch was like this one.
No one is out-- or so it seems, until

the next light turns red and a sea of bright
headlights finally catches up. I wasn't flying;

I was out of my comfort zone, 
out of the house, and on the road. If only

every road mimicked this one, at this time,
stayed dark forever, I might get out more.

I hope you enjoy this short little piece! I’m writing this as I got back from a friend’s house on a late (for my early bird self) night drive home– there’s something special about a quiet, late night drive. Please feel free to leave feedback and writing challenges in the comments. Stay safe and healthy out there.

Brooke