Rush

Alarm clock blares. She opens her eyes unwillingly to the blinding light. Cortisol pumping through her veins. She must hurry or else...! A quick bite to eat. A substance without substance. Designed merely to feed her haste. A kiss goodbye misplaced haphazardly mid air for one more glance at the time. 'I'm going to be late'... Key in ignition. A spark ignites the rush of air and fuel. Moving forward, figures blur together. Unseen and unknown. As she accelerates the world surrenders as it recedes around her. She stops behind me. A traffic jam. The unfortunate consequences of vertical development in attempts to ease urban sprawl. Construction signs redirect traffic to a slow but steady pace. The tempo of life for generations past. Now a temporary roadblock, a challenge to overcome through patience and persistence. But alas, today's life driven by instant gratification renders such virtues impotent in many. I hear the sound of panic behind me. Honking and honking, the car horn an extension of her voice. I turn around to see what is wrong. I see a woman, mid thirties or forties driving a luxury SUV. She ignores me, her eyes transfixed on the open road ahead. I continue along the slow procession of vehicles. We reach the end of the construction zone . Freedom at last. She swerves as she drives into the unoccupied lane. Wheels screeching, her anger vents through the tailpipe as acrid exhaust fumes spew forth. A stain on the world. I lose sight of her as she accelerates out of sight. Rushing like everyone else into the darkness.

Arriving at my destination I ask myself, Where was she going? Where are we all going when we feel this need to rush?