Driving Through Hell

Driving Through Hell Driving south on Interstate 79 The sun is so hot The temperature is well over 100 The asphalt boils beneath my tires So many trees on both sides They trap the cooling breeze for themselves There’s water on the road far ahead Glistening in the hot summer sun It travels as fast as I do Staying just outside of my reach It is the only water for miles Is it real? Is it my eyes playing tricks on me? Is it my tired, overheated mind? Could it be trying to drive me insane? Or is it God tempting my faith How could a benevolent god create such torture? My mouth is so dry My skin nearly burnt to cinders I look ahead Praying for a place to get a clean drink of water I can’t stop where I am Swamps line the road on both sides Brackish water A home for frogs, snakes and lizards Maybe one more mile Just beyond the hill could lay salvation A water fountain A bottle of spring water Anything to quench my thirst If only I don’t run out of gas