waiting to exhale

between one heartbeat
and the next
so much which hangs together
by the fragilest of threads
can reach its sudden end —
a late afternoon thunderstorm
chasing sunbathers from the beach
or a daisy’s final petal
falling into grass.

heading east to the coast
with all four windows rolled down
the deafening rush
of warm summer air heavy
with the scent of wildflowers
blows through my hair
as a favorite song
plays out
on the radio.

and as mile markers blur past
counting down the clicks
until i finally
reach the rocky shore
there are no other paths
left to follow
as shadows grow long
across the winding
road up ahead.