I should have taken the I-5 freeway, I tell myself even as I commit to the onramp of I-84 East. Traffic is at a crawl as drivers jockey to merge into the three eastbound lanes. I choose the center lane. A red Volvo in front of me switches to the left lane even though it, too, is at a near standstill. My line begins to move and I pull past the Volvo. I bet they’re sorry they changed lanes. I smile smugly. A mile later, my lane slows, and cars are passing on both sides. The Volvo, now in the right lane, zooms past me. That’s okay. It’s not a race. I stay in the middle lane. Dance with the one that brung ya, right?
drivers on their marks
finish lines are self-described
bring your own trophy
For the next six miles, traffic ebbs and flows. Compulsively, I check my progress against cars on either side of me. No, it’s not a race, but there’s that nagging need to prove that I chose the best lane. I reach my exit and check my rear view mirror as I ease over to the off ramp. The red Volvo is right behind me. Ha! For all its lane changing, I still came out in front. Had it been a race – which of course it wasn’t – I would have won. Yep… dance with the one that brung ya. Fidelity always pays off. Until it doesn’t.
crows raise strident voice
choruses of morning birds
solos every one
🙂
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Great Haibun. I have been stuck on I-84 more than once.
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Thank you. That’s always when I find myself wishing I had a good audio book.
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True story. I was once backed up there and then on 91 for five hours. Never travel Thanksgiving weekend.
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Oh, wow! I’d not only need an audio book; I’d also need a port-a-potty.
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That was a loooong ride to PA.
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Ouch… this makes me glad that I can take bicycle to work.
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It would be great to have that option for sure.
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“Dance with the one that brung ya.” Haha, story of my life and how I lost years when I should have moved on. We always do that, don’t we, keep checking those other lanes.
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Yeah, that saying doesn’t always hold up.
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Really enjoyed this and the competition rush hour/ a traffic jam can evoke. Great repeat of, ‘Dance with the one that brung ya,’ – the first downbeat, the second triumphant.
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Yes, that philosophy can be a double-edged sword. 🙂
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