3 AM
15 hour drive, in the last 5 minutes.
I roll past the quiet streets
and the locked cars
and the sleeping dogs in their houses.
The radio is humming along
a soothing song for this time of night.
I keep the volume low,
respecting the owner’s right
to a good night of sleep.
It’s 3 AM
Crashing towards 4.
And I pull into my parent’s driveway
with the locked car
and the sleeping dog.
I wonder how long it’s been
since I’ve seen my old friends.
I wonder if they’re still here
trapped.
Lost in the maze of houses.
I let the car run,
look at the ancient basketball net.
Unused for the better part of the past 10 years.
Who are my old friends now?
What of the bikes we used
t0 ride in the streets with?

I wonder if emotions can rust.