How to Behave at a Traffic Signal

As your car strands itself

before a red light, prepare

your fingers. Flex them. Curl

one set around the knob

and keep rolling like you

were winding up a clock.

Palms will press against

the window. Some will tap

the glass as if they were patting

the back of a choking person,

gentle and insistent till they get

the answer of life. Others will

half-cup their fingers over either

eyebrow in such a manner

that the nails of both hands

touch each other, producing

a silent music to the slow blink

of their eyes. But do not move

your head. Keep staring straight

at the road like it would disappear

in a moment of distraction. Train

your ears to catch the throb

and thump of the music from the back

of the car. If other sounds intrude, breathe

deeply. Count till a hundred and feel

the steering wheel peel away

from your hands. When images of old

women hobble across the windscreen,

read safety instructions. Turn till you find

the page on how to secure the seatbelt

across your heart as you plow into an accident

of lives. Fasten those words and lurch away

from the light. Adjust your rearview mirror

and slowly roll down the windows till half.

Now feel the air hit you.