(after Merritt Parkway by Denise Levertov)
 
We’re moving…
Ambulance, articulated lorry, breakdown truck.
KPH goes up 5 counts.  Twinkling,
Um and ah splash,
Drizzle flops off tyres.
 
Tarmac’s white noise,
Triple-storey fume:
A semi-transparency compressing greys.
Pan to a field of sheep.
 
Definite now – 4x4, polar blue,
Electric windows – onrush alloy wheels.
3000 miles nearside.  Vvvrruuuuum.
 
Nappa leather upholstery
Degases spent energy.
Side impact bar’s hot.
 
Trees now and then…
 
The hard blow kills 3,
Lags spinning
To fiery clam-up.
 
From malignant health
A bluebottle floats,
Heaving wide of cat’s-eyes
Nudging,
               Cruising,
                              On
                                   And
                                          On
                                               And
                                                      On…