Everyday Traffic Report

keep your eyes on the road
it's a pattern, though it could change
green yellow red green yellow red

stemming from opposite sides
two snakes of metal each make a left
inscriptions of hyperbolic arcs.

scattered sunlight glitters on cars
all in uniform lines
all disciplined, precisely regulated

march.
in long long lines
in short stunted rows
march.
straight ahead

stop. go. stop. go.
like clockwork
the lines move on
every day, every night.
onward and ever forward

like ants they crawl
as one whole
mindless they crawl
through tunnels
through passages

roads crisscross
with regularity,
predictability.
never-ending, always pending
never-ceasing drudgery.

the drone of the motors
rumbles in a weary way
complaining of tedium
as they
stop. go. stop. go.

the little slaves inside
lead no lives
every day they submit
they fit
the mold.