By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes

RULES OF THE ROAD

There are exits
nobody can open

When calls for help
echo unanswered
break the door
set yourself free

I don’t give a fuck
how many Franklins the fresco costs
if the pigment masks a wall
it isn’t worth mountains

Don’t waste breath
trying to unmake minds

Cracking locks
is an inside job

The key is in the ignition
drive away

There will be red lights
blinking deserts
ghost trains charging crossings

There will be
bridges of advection fog
deflecting light

No worries
no obstacle’s impassable
don’t listen
to rearview mirrors
or let backseats talk you into U-turns

You’ll shed tears of glass
for companions
swept to shoulders
because they never learned to read
the poetry of signs

Switch off the gps
get lost

It’s a joyride
letting the road find you

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Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes

Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School and went on to study Religion and Theology at the University of San Diego. His book Intimate Geography, published by Ragged Sky Press, won the 2012 San Diego Book Award for Poetry. Ish, as he is known, has also written lyrics for German musicians Andrea Hörkens and Thomas Roderburg (Tender Art).

Latest posts by Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes (see all)

• Word’s Out | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 14, 2018
• Political Love Affair | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 7, 2018
• Deer Tracks | Geo-Poetic Spaces - November 30, 2018