"Look to the Skies" & "I shouldn't drive at night" by Luck Zytowski

Look to the Skies

The red glare shines against my face,

bright in the quiet of morning.

My eyes glaze over at the monotony,

everyone inching forward,

making the lights strobe.

Slow clicking sounds just above the

buzz of the radio in the background.

I turn the wheel when I reach the front,

my eyes following the car ahead,

ready for a repeat of the last half-hour.

I glance above

and my breath catches.

Peach-colored clouds pillow the sky,

layering as if whipped cream swirled on top of the earth.

Each puff so stark and vivid,

I can picture the strokes

someone might lovingly paint,

trying to capture an echo of its beauty.

My hand slips on the wheel,

and a thought crosses my mind;

if this were to be my end,

to be lost in admiring one of natures

most simple

yet breathtaking sights,

I would be okay with that.

I soak in the image

for a few more moments,

longing for it last,

then lower my gaze back to grey pavement.

I shouldn’t drive at night

The sky and pavement 

mix together in my vision 

and the rain streaking my windshield

sets my car to warp. 

I’m zipping by bright stars,

goosebumps littering my arms.

I chase the adrenaline

before the panic can set in. 

Before the loss of control 

turns deadly. 

Thoughts become more invasive

when the light isn’t there to

burn them away. 

A quick flick of my hand

can have me hurtling towards

one of the bright stars

to explore a world

that humanity has always had 

a curiosity for.

Luck (they/them) is a queer poet, writer, baker, and beginner herbalist. They have a self-published poetry collection entitled, MAJOR, and are an editor for Skeleton Flowers Press. They aspire to have a Frog and Toad lifestyle and can be found under @luckslibrary/luckzytowski.wordpress.com (or under a toadstool).