Rideshare Poetry in Motion

Dissed, Pissed and Dismissed

“F*** you, and don’t ever call me no more”

She yelled through the clear plexiglass

“F*** you, and don’t ever come by my place”

“Or I’ll call the police on your ass”

 

The plastic between us is just paper-thin

A shield from the sad COVID days

I heard every second of this combat call

Looking back at her face in a daze

 

Contorted and twisted in rage and despair

Another betrayal on the road

The pressure was mounting as screams filled the air

The bomb was about to explode

 

You’d think I was used to these kinds of displays

A fly on the headrest or seat

Emotion so thick inside my rolling lab

Vibes that can fill or deplete

 

And some conversations, so private, so raw

Are high-volume speakerphone calls

The cussing, the spit, the angst, and the flames

It can leave your heart climbing the walls

 

What once was a crushing artillery hurl

A fight to get in the last word

Defeated, resigned, and getting the point

The invisible voice then was heard

 

“I’m sorry baby. I know I was wrong”

“Forgive me. I’ll do right by you”

His plea was declined, she knows how it goes

The script wasn’t anything new

 

“Whenever I catch you, we go down this road”

“The same lying bullshit comes out”

“Year after year, with no end in sight”

“I’m done with the lies and the doubt”

 

“Will he ever change? Will he ever know?”

“One day I’m going to quit”

“It’s over, I’m finished. Your stuff’s on the left”

“Get out, and load up your shit”

 

At this point, I’m cheering. No longer a fly.

Now I’m a skilled referee

The whistle is blowing. The guy’s out-of-bounds

The lady is winning you see

 

Not just the match. Not just the game

She’s changing her life for the best

No longer a lover, the opponent has lost

I’m praying her life will be blessed

 

With somebody willing to lay down the arms

To put her above, not below

Inside I’m smiling, she’s made a big move

But will he be willing to go?

 

Then sadly I heard what so often I’ve heard

In this kind of battle zone play

“I love you. I need you. Can you feel my tears?”

He cried out, “Damn, please let me stay.”

 

“Time out!” was the cry, from the pit of my soul

“Don’t let this fool on the court”

“Get back on the bench, and shut your big mouth”

But her answer was sadly quite short

 

“I feel you, baby. Go get some rest”

“I’ll be home in a minute or so”

They both said I love you, in soft, sexy tones

And all I was thinking, “No!”

 

It’s just human nature, I’ve come to believe

With thousands of rides to attest

We settle for less. And just acquiesce

So often we don’t choose the best

 

We reached her apartment, and I wished her well

She didn’t acknowledge my voice

Perhaps she was wrapped up in knowing what’s next

A victim of her foolish choice

 

I knew it was only a matter of time

The curtains will open again

The act will resume. The rage will consume

This game between women and men

 

Let’s Ride

You were on the east side

I was driving west

You were heading uptown

You put me to the test

 

You climbed in and told me

You were running late

It sounded like a challenge

We’re at the starting gate, oh yeah

 

So, Let’s Ride.

Ride

Ride

 

We hit every green light

So, I cruised right through

You kept yelling “Faster!”

I knew just what to do

 

I picked up the tempo

We were on a roll

Signs were just suggestions

I gladly paid the toll, oh yeah

 

So, Let’s Ride.

Ride

Ride

 

In the long run

How do you know?

When to stop and when to go

Some frustrations

 

When traffic slows

But then an open highway flow

Hotter than my coffee

Higher than a thrill

 

The ride was simply magic

I think about it still

You were beaming brightly

We made it right on time

 

“Gracias, De Nada”

We took it to the line, oh yeah

 

So, Let’s Ride.

Ride

Ride

 

The Mysterious Box

I was given a box, not a rider that day

It was gently placed back on the rear floor

He said, “Don’t be late. She’ll meet at the gate.”

“You don’t need to go to the door.”

 

The box was as plain as a brown box could be

“Don’t shake it, please keep it upright.”

Curiosity swelled from deep in my soul

“What’s inside?” was the mantra, the fight

 

Did I hear a tick? Should I slow down my drive?

Is it glass? Is it living or dead?

My thoughts were a rage, a storm of concern

I was leaning toward borderline dread

 

The urges were strong. Should I stop and check

Am I going over the top?

It’s only a box. So, why should I care?

I’m not a detective or cop

 

If curiosity killed the cat

I’d like to know how more than why

It’s never explained, we fill in the blanks

No examples of how not to die

 

Assumptions are vain. Subjective at best

This cat wants to know some more facts

“Don’t touch the flame, you’ll get burned,” A clear saying

Keeping the train on the tracks

 

Before my fear peaked, I pulled up at the gate

The minutes it took were a blur

The ride with the box was about to expire

I remember her just saying, “Sir?”

 

“You don’t have to touch it. Please open the door.”

“I’ll grab it and be on my way.”

She was gone in a flash. And I’ll never know

What was inside the box on that day

************

My “Rideshare by Robert” blog continues with new stories, poems, and musings based on my published book, “Rideshare by Robert: Every Ride’s a Short Story.” The book, and the blog, are short stories about actual rides, observations, revelations, and reflections on the rideshare experience. I hope you will find the writings informational with humor and compassion for the human family. My future book, “Rideshare by Robert: Volume Two”, will include selected blogs published in the Baltimore Post-Examiner.

So, climb in, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.

Welcome to “Rideshare by Robert.”

A place where anything can happen and usually does.

Disclaimer

I have tried to provide anonymity to all individuals portrayed in my writings while maintaining the story’s integrity. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. And, in some cases, the not-so-innocent. I have substituted the characteristics of individuals in my writings to further my attempt to maintain anonymity. Conversations and other details are based on my best recollection and notes. Although I have spent time driving with many celebrities and public figures over the years, I’ve intentionally omitted their names in my writings. I’ve also modified actual locales along with other details such as when and where the rides occurred to maintain my objective of rider privacy and anonymity.