Route 66 - Revisited
LA to Chicago, an eight state snake;
the road not traveled any more.
Wind Wing Widowswhistle
like orphans lost to time
with Passing Lanesof sights, of sounds, of signs;
Road side attractions, distractions,
motels and cafes on the edge
of drifting sands. Memories
that crack the asphalt black
while white flight concrete bleeds.
Ribboned heaves and heat
wave weaves, ride mirage lines white-hot.
The Silver Shadow rolls no longer
in Merging Lanes with Chevy Dreams as
Fords drop their high beams down Old Route 66.
Flagstaff arid breezes belch, neon burps:
“Blue Swallow Motel, 100% Refrigerated
Air,Vacancy, TV,”
“Whiting Brothers,”
“Phillips 66,”
While tires sing desert songs of:
“Burma Shave” and
“LastChance for Gas.”
Somewhere my America rambled
and tumbled along, in a weed-like rolling;
its Left blinker on but always
turning Right, always turning Right.
~r.
All rights reserved
© September 26, 2006 R. Braley
(astralshepherd)
Copying without permission
for non-personal use is forbidden
Author notes
Written September 26th, 2006
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
-
Very good
Being of that certain age, I was touched by the subject matter of this well written piece.
Memories came flooding back of a simpler,more gracious time; a time when we knew our neighbors; a time when America stood for truth and justice in the eyes of the world; a time when faith was the bulwark of our society; a time when the family was the backbone of our national pride and strength.
O time, what wreckage thou hath wrought....what precious rubble we leave behind us....youth and reason swept away by the tides of of a world gone mad.
. Rewarded 8
-
Aye, 'tis a fine write, indeed, just as it is. Brings back memories of an old tv show, the title of which I think was: "Route 66". I'll try for a link. Also for the Burma Shave signs which I personally remember.
TV Show: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Route_66_(TV_series)
Burma Shave Roadside Signage:
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/burma1.htm
Also, for those not familiar with Route 66, here's a link on it's history:
http://www.historic66.com/ -
Ramblin' Road
I felt like I was just bumping along, while you were casually making comments. Like a comfortable friend on an old dusty road trip, with my bare feet on the dash, waiting for the next gas station to go get a drink!
Regards, DeGraw,
. Rewarded 4
-
Awesome write as always, Richard!
Hey, I see this is an older poem, I don't remember ever seeing it before, but I really connected with this poem. I have traveled on ol route 66, it runs right through Tulsa here. This is a perfect description of that old road. Love this!!!!!!! By the way, thanks for signing my guest book while I was away, and letting me know I was missed. I appreciate that. ~Susan
. Rewarded 6
-
Nice imagery and well portrayed by one whos been there.
I took the "Left, blinker but turning right" to mean that our country has strayed from the good ol' days when that olde route 66 was first constructed.
Magical poem and great read.
-
This piece is quite under-reated.
The imagery is vivid, and i like the last stanza the most, i think it captured the essence of a car well,
The contrast of black and white really had an impact on me.
. Rewarded 4
-
Road side attractions, distractions,
motels and cafes on the edge
of drifting sands. Memories
that crack the asphalt black
while white flight concrete bleeds.
love those lines keep up the good writes i like your stuff. havent commented on them but have read them i will go back and add more comments soon. -
I did alot of hitchiking along this route in the '60s.
You captured the magic, for sure. Coming out of St. Louis, and getting on that road, was the doorway to heaven.
. Rewarded 4
-
I want to go on a road trip and exsplore route 66. Ive been on one road trip through the USA and need to go again you are amazing peaple. I am from Ontario Canada so all i need to do is jump in my car and drive. I have read some of your poems and have enjoyed them thank you. I want 5 star on this one as I think it's an amazing poem but dont know how to im a new be.
-
I have read this three times now and here I remain... dumb, stuck on stupid, searching for the words to express the impressions this has imprinted on my mind. I have traveled this route... more than once and the memories I have are, for the most part, cherished memories. This took me back a few years... okay, maybe more than just a few.
The descriptive qualities contained here are just so profound and so exquisite. You have really tapped into your muses meanderings for this one Richard. This is one truly divine piece of poetry. Love your words! 
♥ Touchof1der
Edited on Sep 27, 9:29 because 'duh, duh, duh... fingers stutter.'.
-
Wow, what a fantastic write, I always have my left blinker on too, and keep turning right.. strange how life does that. What a great visual drive you took me on... superb
Karen
Adding your comment:
1 - 11 of 11
