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Sick On a Trip

It wasn't till I learned to drive
That I could look forward to going on a family trip in the car.
With the spectre of car sickness always dogging me along the way
Waiting to appear at the most inopportune moments.
I remember once being sick over my brothers new suit before
We were even out the gate.

But as soon as I started driving my stomach underwent 
A miraculous transformation.
And is now quite definitely cast in iron.
Even when I clean up other people's sick.

There is one trip I still dread 
That no amount of driving will keep me from feeling 
Sick in stomach and in mind.
It is a trip I never plan on taking 
But somehow find myself on even when I know I will find no pleasure there.

Thankfully I now don't very often go down that road
And now when I do common sense prevails
Leading me back home quick smart.
As going on a guilt trip is just plain selfish,
With an accident waiting around every bend.
And no happy ending in sight.

Copyright © David Smith | Year Posted 2016

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Old Man Emu Date: 8/19/2016 2:54:00 PM Great finish to a great poem. I never had any sympathy for my twin sister who was always car sick, mainly because I didn't understand how it could make you sick. A guilt trip will always make you sick. Well done. Login to Reply David Smith Date: 8/19/2016 3:29:00 PM Thank you. A sense of shame does not do us so much harm. Helps us at least try and make up for some of the wrongs we have done and not repeat them. I have been offered a chance to collate a poetry book of poets in our area. The incumbent Mayor who suggested it. Probably only a stipend in it but he said council funds for producing it. Will be looking at getting young poets work in there. Another gold for NZ outside of Olympics. Our young ones won an international literacy contest. Don't know Australia got on but generally both sides of ditch there are still avid book lovers although we have exported a few to your side of the ditch who are not. Thought you might have made them full citizens. Have a great weekend. David. My prayers are with Americans who are fighting out of control fires as am sure are yours. Hope you manage to avoid them this summer.

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 8/5/2016 11:08:00 AM ...so not only you have got an iron stomach now but also an iron will and sense! Didactic writing dear, David! Login to Reply David Smith Date: 8/6/2016 2:54:00 AM Thank you my friend. It is actually proven that most people who suffer from car sickness generally stop when they learn to drive. Weather not so good here at moment. I am doing another reading tomorrow afternoon at local bar. Have a great weekend. Until next time my friend.

Sara Kendrick Date: 8/4/2016 5:36:00 PM Yeah~~ Those guilt trips are not very pleasant..Enjoyed reading your work..You tied the two things together very well..Thanks for the visit to my page..Sara Login to Reply David Smith Date: 8/4/2016 7:45:00 PM You are most welcome. Hard as parent not to feel too much guilt. Felt sorry for some kids at school who always looked guilty but hardly ever were. They tended to get blamed for escapades of others. Hope you have a wonderful guilt free weekend. Regards David.