Another Day, Another Dollar

Another day, another dollar

One more shout, one more holler

The daily grind of humankind

Early rise, before the sun

Shower, dress, then gotta run

The worm goes to the early bird

Sounds real nice, but quite absurd

Not even six, the roads are packed

Knuckles white, just don’t react

Whether driving in or driving home

The traffic jams on every road

Blaring horns, tempers rising

Nothing new and not surprising

Bottlenecks that lead to wrecks

Darkened tunnel, deadly funnel

My commute is not a pleasure

Don’t get me started on the weather

A hint of snow, and here we go

Some will crawl while others speed

Others weave like centipedes

I watched in horror, hold my breath

Silently pray there’s not a death

Luck is nice, until the black ice

Sliding, slipping, and a sudden stop

The wreckage waiting for a cop

Ten cars, no twenty, could be more

It’s like a bomb; a highway war

Nothing moves, we just park and wait

The sun keeps dropping, getting late

Darkness brings a different view

Might as well look, nothing else to do

Barren branches against the sky

An owl goes hoot, a raven cries

Then hope is seen, one lane moves

Cars start going, things improve

Maybe crawling, but at least it’s moving

Bit by bit, it starts improving

Pass the wreckage, then smooth sailing

Until in my mirror, someone tailing

On my bumper, seems for no reason

Cursing the act of highway treason

Changing lanes to let them pass

Almost clip me as they slam the gas

Another day, another dollar

Growing stress, while pay seems smaller

Deep in the night, my house in sight

Stumble in, shake off the cold

Bones are hurting, I feel so old

A warming smile, and the smell of food

Children laughing, a better mood

The table set, makes for quick forget

Workday worries, piling flurries

Shut them out, along with doubt

Trade the strife, for family life

Another day, some time to play

Precious hours, like blooming flowers

Those sounds and the sights

Are the best parts of life

 

Additional Reading

R.J. Schwartz is an American Poet and Author.

His complete works on The Creative Exiles Website can be found here

The Gypsy Thread is a huge collection of his original work

Ralph also writes on HubPages

 

 

R J Schwartz
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R J Schwartz

I write about everything and sometimes nothing at all. I'm fascinated by old things, rusty things, abandoned places, or anywhere that a secret might be unearthed. I'm passionate about history and many of my pieces are anchored in one concept of time or another. I've always been a writer, dating back to my youth, but the last decade has been a time of growth for me. I'm continually pushing the limitations of vocabulary, syntax, and descriptive phrasing.

3 thoughts on “Another Day, Another Dollar

  • February 20, 2023 at 7:23 AM
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    I sure remember those days of commute when it really put a lot of stress on me. Then that minute I got in the front door of home, the kids, the pets, the sounds and warmth of home all relaxed me. Your poem brings it all back in a quick paced, skillful way with phrases that jump right at me. Great piece, Ralph.

    Reply
  • February 20, 2023 at 8:05 AM
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    It is nicer to find our way back to play and family. Sadly I still commute and I drive the children to sporting events but I still try to find some time for fun. Jamie

    Reply
  • February 22, 2023 at 6:36 PM
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    Always better to be at home. I live that commute everyday minus the snow. But when it does snow oh man, people suck. Nice work Ralph

    Reply

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