Spinning Through the Astral Plane
by L.T. Garvin
At Seventeen
we found ourselves
spinning
oh yes, angst-filled and love giddy
traveling the night roads
past open fields
stars hanging loosely from the drapes of night.
“Dream Weaver” seducing us easily
through eight-track speakers
we mapped our own astral plain.
The night was pulsating
filled with the rhythms of rock music
we were longing to taste life
outside the confines
of where that 1974 Impala could tread.
Windows open
night wind through our hair
the highway ahead
pedal down, full throttle
we hit that curve unprepared
and we were truly spinning
through air.
I looked into the fright of her eyes
fingers white on the wheel,
“I’ve lost this witch,” she said to me,
and through dappled time
we churned
as if hooked upon
a cosmic wheel.
Abruptly we stopped mid-road
lucky to be
sole travelers and still upright
on the Impala’s four wheels
we came to a halt
dizzy with life full in our faces
deciding to slow down
and tread with softer wheels
upon the wings of the night.
AUTHOR’S PHOTO CAPTION: Me at 17, all dressed up as a senior in high school, 1979.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: My creative process usually centers around a specific time that I set aside for writing. I write a great deal about general events that occur in any given day, my observation of people, and also my childhood. I write about emotional events that have affected me profoundly occurring in both the past and present. I am often inspired by music and art. I love to read and feel that my love of literature has prompted me to write. I also try to read as much current poetry as I can manage and a few books every year. My main regret is that my lifestyle does not afford me as much time to read as I would like.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lana Broussard writes under the pen name of L.T. Garvin. Her short stories have appeared in print with the Texas Writer’s Journal. She has published poetry online at The Drabble, Poet’s Corner, and Wildsound Poetry Festival. L.T. writes fiction, poetry, essays, and humor that she publishes on her blog: L.T. Garvin @ WordPress. She has one book currently available and two more to be published by Crystal Publishing, LLC. Visit her on Facebook and Twitter.
Congratulations! The poem certainly pulls us along as we too feel the speed and excitement of the night. Beautiful young woman!
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Thanks so much, Jo. It was quite a night. I appreciate your support!
A brilliant piece accurately depicting the roller coaster ride of being a teenager in the 1970’s. I wonder if the driver passed her subsequent audition for the Dukes of Hazzard stunt driving gig. The passenger certainly made it as a writer of distinction. Well done LT Garvin.
Thank you, Phil. I’m a bit tardy with this, sorry for that. The driver probably should have tried for the Dukes of Hazard 😀 I appreciate your support.
Beautiful poem. I love Lana’s poetry. ❤
Thank you, Diana. I also love and admire your work 😀
Teens think they are invincible. Thank goodness you got your wake up call early and with no damage done.
Great post.
Teenagers really do believe that, and it is certainly scary at times. I am thankful for that, so much could have happened there. Thank you for the gracious compliment!
Nice poem, Lana, and nice to meet you here…
Thanks, Sha’Tara…sorry for being so tardy, I forgot to check back. Likewise, very nice to meet you here.
This is so palpable and authentic. And I love the bookend photos of yourself.
Thank you so much, Angie, for reading and for the lovely compliment.
I like the recurring use of the wheel/spinning imagery, as well as the anecdote and insights. So glad you survived to write this vivid piece.
Thank you, this event certainly made an impression on me…but turned out well. I never drove fast when I was the one driving!
A very ethereal quality that works beautifully with the theme. Love it, L. T.
Thank you so much, Desert Dweller!
In my country (the Netherlands) we didn’t have 1974 Impala’s. We hardly had roads wide enough to even contain Impala’s. We did have Gary Wright though, and albeit his song Dream Weaver is almost by none remembered, it’s stuck in my head for some odd reason, and after reading your poem it’s softly humming again. That is what well chosen words can do.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Peter. I have always loved that song. It is amazing how hearing certain songs can take you back to a particular time.
Congratulations Lana, such a lovely poem and photo! Glad to meet you through blogging. 🙂