Shotgun Slumber | Teen Ink

Shotgun Slumber MAG

April 22, 2009
By Megan Buckner BRONZE, Gilford, New Hampshire
Megan Buckner BRONZE, Gilford, New Hampshire
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

My face is smushed against the glass –
cheekbone and jawline numb from
the cold, and long hours spent pressed
against the window. Rhythmic breaths
create patches of fog along the contours of my nose and lips.

Out of the corner of my right eye
I catch glimpses of the landscape we
pass by, but I’ve seen it all before.
Concrete barriers and painted lines
keep my driver on course.

Beyond the asphalt and wildflower medians
sprawl cornfields, suburban neighborhoods,
vast parks. Perpetual movement fools me
and for a moment, I am stationary –
free to view the passing still frames
of others’ lives.

Another mile marker and tired eyes flutter –
the endless strings of telephone lines,
cow pastures and landfills blur together
as the lullaby resonating from the spinning
axles beneath my feet sings me to sleep again.



Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 158 comments.


on Nov. 11 2010 at 8:24 pm
K.H.D. PLATINUM, Fort Wayne, Indiana
27 articles 19 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
"KID YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Alenn O'Shea
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So... get on your way!" - Dr. Seuss, "Oh! The Places You'll Go"

Poetry isn't meant to have meaning, it's poetry. It is what it is. Don't try to rip it apart and decipher the emotion behind it, that kills the purpose of writing it in general. It was well written. So long as the poet wrote out what was on their mind, nothing else matters.

bubj98 BRONZE said...
on Nov. 11 2010 at 7:19 pm
bubj98 BRONZE, Oceanside, California
4 articles 0 photos 32 comments

Favorite Quote:
"hate is a strong word ,but love is a stronger one"
"sometimes batteries help when the little robot inside your head stops working"
"i guess that guy over there is like...alive?"

there is no reason to be so rude.it is great that you express your feelings but there is no reason to put someone down.i agree with pinkypromise23 this is very good poetry.thank you

D-City said...
on Nov. 11 2010 at 8:12 am
D-City, Cleveland, Ohio
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
So Awesum

its awesome

on Nov. 11 2010 at 7:16 am
Phantom_Girl GOLD, Ft. Carson, Colorado
14 articles 0 photos 279 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If it comes out of the lion's mouth...it will be on the test."
-Mr. Bala

Very well written. And very relatable. It reminds me of all the times I fell asleep on the school bus.

on Oct. 20 2010 at 8:55 pm
wefellinLAVA PLATINUM, Copper Cliff, Other
21 articles 0 photos 25 comments

Favorite Quote:
'you touched my heart, through it's shell'

Beautifully put together... <3

polly said...
on Oct. 20 2010 at 9:30 am
i agrreee this poem has no meaning it is ok to say you like it but dont over do it i doubt most people loved this poem if they did good for them but be more realistc

on Oct. 20 2010 at 9:28 am
CammyLashay SILVER, Java, Virginia
9 articles 0 photos 31 comments

Favorite Quote:
Failure is not for me.

Love it =)

steve said...
on Oct. 20 2010 at 9:26 am
it was ok it could use a little work but other than that it was ok

on Sep. 28 2010 at 6:47 pm
EmilyDanyelle, Cleveland, Ohio
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."
— Marilyn Monroe

I love this<3

on Sep. 28 2010 at 2:54 pm
Cupcakegoesrawr SILVER, Plymouth, Massachusetts
9 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
sometimes you can't see the pain that someone feels

I love this poem

you have amazing writting skills


on Sep. 28 2010 at 2:43 pm
pinkypromise23 PLATINUM, Cranston, Rhode Island
30 articles 0 photos 412 comments

Favorite Quote:
i know that you believe you understand what you think i said, but im not sure you realize that what you heard is not what i meant.

stop commenting negitave things on wonderful poems...im sure you couldnt do any better...if you dont have somehing nice to say then dont say anything at all

on Sep. 28 2010 at 2:08 pm
Auburn-Morrow PLATINUM, Canton, Georgia
22 articles 0 photos 19 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life Takes its toll, please have exact change.

I love your word choices and I just melted into the imagery.

ricky said...
on Sep. 28 2010 at 11:15 am
this poem has no meaning...now i hate every one

icebergs said...
on Sep. 6 2010 at 9:06 pm

Hi this is an amazing poem that flows very nicely, with subtle emotions pervading through the imagery.

awesome...sorry i accidentally gave it one star (meant to give it five), mouse was malfunctioning.


on Sep. 6 2010 at 3:54 pm
silence-is-loud GOLD, Chicago, Illinois
10 articles 0 photos 135 comments

Favorite Quote:
FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY, STING LIKE A BEE- MUHAMMID ALI

i do too!

 


ayy.u said...
on Jun. 10 2010 at 3:03 pm
i like the picture..

on May. 19 2010 at 10:23 am
peacelovejesus BRONZE, Mechanic Falls, Maine
3 articles 2 photos 2 comments
Ah, I am just now learning how to use this site.  I accidently rated it as one, which is so not true.  This poem is AMAZING!!!!

on May. 19 2010 at 10:16 am
float_away SILVER, Pheonix, Arizona
6 articles 2 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Love moderately, long love doth so." ~Shakespeare

true dat

 


on May. 19 2010 at 10:14 am
chartothalatte GOLD, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
10 articles 1 photo 62 comments
wow... this is a really great piece. i enjoyed your use of imagery and i can totally see all this! describes a road trip perfectly! great job (:

on May. 19 2010 at 9:25 am
CourtneyLove BRONZE, Belleville, Michigan
1 article 2 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
Baby You Can Brusie Me But You'll Never Break Me <3

Love The Picture :) This Poem Is Amazing, I love The Imagery Parts Of It.