Carpool Monologue

Are you sure you don’t want 

to join us         this long weekend? 

Camping here 

is like going 

to the beach back home.

You might be anxious now, 

but driving here is actually a breeze

especially in Oakville.

I bought this car second-hand, 

just with a G1 license.

After two years here, 

either I go to back school

and resume being a nurse 

or spend that tuition money 

to petition my kids.

The sooner I don’t have to deal

with their father, the better, so

I made the obvious choice 

of taking in early morning shifts 

baking muffins at a Tim Hortons

on top of days at the seniors’ home.

I come in at eleven and leave 

at four just before the morning rush.

I can’t rely on buses,

thank God 

the road was always dark 

and peaceful. 

I sang along to my radio,

often this exact song,

take me Jesus

to keep the dread of being stopped 

by cops at bay.

I said to myself,

traffic laws here are broken 

for much less 

noble reasons.