Drivers' Ed - Prose

Drivers Ed

We drive around in these containers

Of snot, blood, and urine

Held up by an internal structure

Similar in most of us

With specialized components within our skin

To make all the rest of it work

At first we mobilize

Go where We direct our brain to take us;

Early on that’s how it is,

Until our Brain begins to believe

That it knows how to drive

And then it jerks away the wheel and says

I remember how THAT feels

I bet she’s going to do THIS

I know what to do NEXT

Until one day

After the millionth wreck

And the original Us

Is finally able to

Stop the panting

Maybe sobbing

Brain

And direct its attention

Past the rear window

To the wreckage caused,

Not by others

As the Brain would usually suggest

But instead by the brain “knowing” things

In that moment of

Rare

Stillness

When the Brain pulls over, panting

Maybe sobbing

And sees for the First Time

That it knows Nothing

That it is just a part of the vehicle

Not the skilled driver

That it thought it was-

That’s when the original Us

Can gently suggest

That it instruct

The brain about driving

As was Originally Intended

For the safety of vehicle

And the other drivers on the road.

The steering wheel on my car

Is lined with calf leather and is

Stitched expertly.

It is beautiful to look at.

It has all the makings of comfort.

It is fine to the touch.

But…

It has indents from my fingers in its soft leather-

Indents that stay when my hands are not there.

And it has salt stains from my tears…

--Eric Marley

January 2011