the road ahead

The outline of trees,
Black against the dark sky,
Still without buds,
Along the avenue.
Black pools of rain water,
Dot the roadside,
Spraying sheets as I drive by,
In the early pre-dawn stillness.
Thunderstorm the night before,
Raindrops drip from the branches,
Soaking into the bark,
Seeping into my soul.
Half asleep behind the wheel,
Looking forward to nothing,
But the road ahead,
The long cold day ahead.
Awakening at 6 a.m.,
Shook off an uneasy sleep,
Shuddering as I went,
Stumbling into the light.
Long day of monotony,
Listening and watching,
Babysitting the fully grown,
As another 16 hours slips away.
Tomorrow again holds the same,
Dragging myself from truncated slumber,
Tying up loose ends,
Paying all my late fees.
But escape is on the horizon,
Somewhere different,
Just for a day or two,
Five hours to the south.
Looking to tear myself away,
Just for a couple of days,
To remind myself of what lies,
Under the surface,
Beyond prying eyes.