the truth of survival
*sayitplainly
she checks her rearview mirror
and swerves a little
the oncoming headlights float like fuzzy halos
disorienting her,
gnarled hands grip the wheel tighter
and she winces, arthritis flaring
a loud truck comes in fast behind
it makes her nervous
she wishes she wasn't afraid to drive
at night
it wasn't always this way
the truck behind is even closer now
impatient with her caution
it honks and edges over the center line
looking past her white sedan
she knows what's coming
and fights to hold steady
the v8 jams on the gas and passes her
flipping the finger
honking and shredding
the last of her nerves
she keeps her eyes on the road
tears threatening to fall
she's not sure when things changed
which day it was that robbed her of
her confidence or
when her vision took a shit
but she has no choice
no one to count on
no options
other than this daily
anxiety-fueled ride
cos the truth of the matter
is that she needs the healthcare
as insulting as it is
a greeter at the local superstore
when she graduated
suma cum laude
from Brown
she breathes a prayer
heart beating wildly
as another set of
headlights distorts her path home
the bright flare passes
she blinks to recover
but the damage is done
she's on the shoulder
then grass
then tree
no dignity in the wail of sirens
nothing but silence in the aftermath
her bright voice
her brilliant mind
broken by the truth
of survival
About the Creator
Heather Hubler
Thank you to everyone who filled this journey with wonderful memories :)
Keep reading
More stories from Heather Hubler and writers in Poets and other communities.
The Salt in her Voice
The myth says mermaids sing to lure sailors to their death. But why? The ocean is huge. Only 5 percent has been discovered by man. Why would a creature of the sea with that much space to roam ever care about the fate of men on ships? The answer, as it turns out, is not a simple one at all. The truth about the myth is older than the tides. Long ago before the first ship ever cut across the surface, the sea made a pact with the sky. The sky would take the souls of the drowned. Anyone who died in storms or any quiet accidents of the deep would have their soul lifted upward to the Heavens while the bodies would remain below, feeding the oceans endless hunger. The greedy sea however wanted more souls than the sky would claim. So it created mermaids. It gave them beautiful voices woven from currents and moonlight. It commanded them to sing. "Bring forth the ones who float where they should sink." it instructed them. So they did. They never killed out of malice but out of obligation. They sung to summon, not to seduce. A mermaid's voice could loosen the tether between the body and soul, making any man step willingly into the water. The sea would take the body and the sky would take the soul. Balance maintained.
By Sara Wilson7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (12)
Great work, Heather! Congratulations on Top Story!
Very 'real', thankyou for sharing and congratulations on Top Story xx
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Scary and vividly imagined piece. I loved it I was seeing it like a movie
Love this thoughtful, intense poem. It's imagery and flow make a few points. The slow, but sudden changes with age - the physical and how it can also erode confidence; our hard work and accolades over the years - laurels that help, but we cannot steadily rely on; the scenarios we put ourselves through - despite their mental toll - to survive, despite them potentially shortening our lives.
Heather you flame broiled this piece! It is blue-ribbon brilliance! Get it gurl! 💪🏾🫶🏾
So emotionally powerful, Heather. It's horrible how, in just one blink, everything can turn into nothing at all. Congratulations on your top ❣
Girl! Wow
This was so sad and emotional. Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️
Oh, that was painful, LS! Well done.
Damn!!!
Annnnd now I’m angry. Great work Heather!!