Coasting to a Stop
After finally cresting the hilltop
I pause briefly
To enjoy the beautiful view.
As I begin my descent
Into the deep green forested valley
My brakes go soft.
I pump. I pump.
Nothing. Nothing to slow me down.
I take a deep breath to focus,
Grab the wheel at ten and two
And do my best to keep
The wheels on the road.
Trees begin to whip by my vision
Right and left, blurred by my speed.
The tires squeal,
The wheel shakes.
It seems forever before
I hit the lower flat
And begin to lose speed.
I slowly slow down,
The trees, coming back into focus.
I relax my grip on the wheel,
My knuckles aching from the effort.
Finally, I coast to a stop.
I open the door and am greeted by the
Blue strip of sky above my head.
I thank the cosmos
For allowing me to survive
My speeding descent
Into this deep green forested valley.
Roy W. Backes
© 2021
Roy W. Backes - Poetry 