History
Lesson
Automobiles
For a long time, in the singing first days of the
Invention, during the decades of the threading
Of roads and the exuberant paving of lots--
Striping of yellow lines for parking spaces that
Would exist forever, and hoisting of traffic
Lights--during all that time the drivers, who
Were new drivers, were modeling for the role,
Self-conscious, trying to do well, as if watched
For punctuality, adherence to the purpose of
The cars themselves. The cars were fathered in
Essence by a great notion of all cars, and people
Upon arriving at their destination would step
Out, true citizens taking orders in process of
Developing this way of living.
They wouldn't,
For
instance, drive up to the bank and sit there
In the driver's seat for a half-hour staring at the
Changing leaves. They would not think to use
The car as a little domicile, or place of respite,
But would curb the racing engine, gather up
Whatever went with their purposeful journey,
Leave the machine with small ceremony, and
Pridefully pocket the keys. Cars were for travel,
You did not inhabit them, though as time went
On you could enjoin a soulful privacy, riding
Alone on highways outwardly transcribing
Wider and wider circles. Getting anywhere
In the world becoming stationary. Seeing all
In the panorama outside the plate glass, or
Going by like exhibits in the day's parade.
After inhabiting the car for so many years,
Having been everywhere in it, they began to
Furnish its interior, with radios and tapedecks,
Ashtrays and compartments, trays for coffee
And submarine sandwiches. And drive-through
Bank windows, and drive-through restaurants
Taught the driver a new radical privacy. Now
A percentage of people live in their cars, or
Rather enjoy life from within the car, and they
Are pausing in the parking lots, slowing down
As if slower speed gives them more time. Like
Travelling salesmen, bringing the portmanteau,
And getting some work done in between the
Scheduled meetings, or scheduled errands.
Ah,
But
this is retrospective truth. Time defined
By the speed of the wheels can but slow down.
Soon like in dreams these vehicles will seek
The air, be weightless, explore the atmosphere.
Or clog the day so bad in the car apocalypse.
Edward
Williams c 2001
Rochester, New York
