after ‘Joyride’ by Van Mei and ‘joyridden’ by Laura Vincent
I’m going to drive my joy
off the Harbour Bridge,
or maybe into a tree.
It’s only a matter of time,
so we may as well get it over with.
I’m going to do donuts
in a Countdown car park
and call it a victory lap.
I’m going to Evil Knievel
some sheep in a field.
Pop the petrol cover,
roll up a poem and stuff it in there.
Anybody got a light?
I’m going to set my joy on fire.
Run away!
Run further away!
I’m going to light this cigarette,
and take a drag as the explosion
goes off behind me.
Tell me if it looks cool.
Kaboom!
Well?
The smoke from the carcass of my joy
greets the clouds
like an overdue family reunion.
The flames die down and
miraculously, joy is fine.
I lean into its side mirror and whisper,
hey, I know you think you’re immortal,
but tonight, I'm writing you off.
