THE LONELY STRETCH


'nothing over five feet'
that was the rule
when they made this place

eyes focussed on the highway
monotonous grey or
slowly hypnotising
depending on your
point of view

the am radio crackles
as the insects suicide
against the windscreen
sometimes even the roadkill
makes more sense
than this misery
of sweat and saltbush

ahead,
the roadhouse lights
& the truckies tumble in
their tired wives
three steps behind
already planning
what to eat for dessert.


© Adrian Robinson