before it flattened out,
my stomach dropped
my breath held still
until we hit the straightaway—
It worked out best
to keep a foot
on the gas pedal
That summer
we drove back and forth—
seeking the right speed
We ate long strands of red licorice
and smoked unfiltered cigarettes
One night when the leaves shook
we stopped at the bottom of the dip
to bathe in moonlight
How long ago
and yet I recall that road,
and the taste of summer heat
