Which is YOUR favorite freeway?
When I met with the itineration specialists in Springfield back in March, they were concerned about me raising support in Southern California. They said, “Oh the freeways there are so bad! It’s going to take you a long time to get places, all that sitting in the car…” I don’t know if they meant it to be discouraging, or if they are just used to Missouri with about three highways (not even freeways) in the whole state (I lived there, I can attest to this). But, growing up in California, and near Los Angeles at that, I am used to the freeways and traffic that is so characteristic of Southern California. The itineration specialists don’t know that sitting on the freeways is a perfect time to pray (“God give me patience” is a frequent request), to practice Thai by listening to Thai CDs and podcasts, to make phone calls (with a hands-free headset of course, I don’t want to get arrested!)… and… to write poetry. This morning on the way to a few meetings, I composed the following Ode to Freeways. Read and enjoy… and perhaps wonder just how much all this traffic really has affected me so far. J
ODE TO FREEWAYS
If you drive in LA then you know what I mean,
Bumper to bumper, no pavement is seen.
405, 605, 101 too,
Brake lights ahead, you know what to do.
“Road work ahead” the orange signs declare
We’re losing a lane, and you sigh, “That’s not fair.”
Construction on freeways means it’s a disaster.
Oh come on, CalTrans, just fix these roads faster.
Or if there’s an accident, just give up now.
Traffic’s backed up, can’t get out anyhow.
You pity the people who wait for a tow,
As you look at the wreckage and drive by so slow.
On new 105 east the traffic’s not bad,
Four lanes plus “diamond,” no bumps to be had.
Time your drive right, going early or late,
Because right in the middle you’ll just have to wait.
So take some advice from someone who knows
Bad LA traffic and just how it goes.
Take a snack and some water, and crank up the dial,
Have patience and know: it’ll take you awhile!
Haha… Lauren, I love it!!
You know, I object to your characterization of Missouri as a whole. Springfield, yes. Most certainly. But come on… Kansas City? St. Louis? Clearly more than 3 highways. Freeways even. Interstates, etc. …And I’ve lived there almost my entire life, I can attest to this. (And as sad as that *may* seem, I’ve seen LA traffic and I have no complaints.) 😉
Love you, Lauren. 😀 (And love the poem! You should have utilized these skills when we were in Hebrew…)
[…] in October I wrote about freeways (see this post), and some things never change. On Monday I woke up at 4:30 to be on the road by 5 to beat […]