BLACK CAR’S BURDEN.

We all get to ride with the big black cars:
One day in the front,
One day in the back,
One day in the hunt
With the rest of the pack.

We fall in beside all the big black cars:
One day to the left,
One day to the right,
One day to the west
And the peace of the night.

We sail in the fleet of the big black cars:
One day with the oars,
One day with the wind,
One day with the course
Of a cruise to begin.

We fail to compete with the big black cars:
One day we’re ahead,
One day we’re aligned,
One day we’re afraid
To follow behind.

We stall and we hide from the big black cars:
One day far above,
One day far below,
One day far enough
From their consistent flow.

But we all get inside the big black cars:
One day in the worst,
One day in the glassed,
One day in the hearse
With the flowers and cask.