one week into the 75 redo a trailer flipped a baseball-sized rock through my windshield, just missing my face

the twice daily commute remains a meat grinder

i’ve lost count
⁃ of how many semis have cut me off without warning
⁃ of how many cars have almost hit me drifting into my lane, not paying attention
⁃ of how many hours of my life have been stolen sitting in stopped traffic for no discernible reason

i try to manifest positivity
singing along with the radio on, sunroof and windows open

sometimes other drivers notice and sing too, a brief moment of solidarity in our shared pain

then we return to shouting obscenities at the universe and each other

(yes, I actually wrote this while sitting on the interstate)