Traveling at the Speed of

I.
The difficulty that he experiences
is more tied to the fact that he can no longer circumvent
convention.  Arthritis and the swelling in his lower back
are his credit card payment now come due for the exuberance
of a younger lifestyle.  Still, with little ahead of him on the agenda
and with no driver exerting the requisite pressure towards deadlines
he deliberately walks out to the garden to admire how quickly
the grass has grown.

II.
Pedal down
surely late
alert buzz
watch for cops
drive faster
answer phone
hang up phone
press redial
slam on brakes
in school zone
miss the kids
press the gas
must go fast-
er, arrive
starched white shirt
coffee-stained
doesn't care
still no time
importance
of the meet
trumps all else
civility.