Fill up your tank and empty your mind
Stick an empty suitcase in the backseat for all the baggage you’ll shed
Don’t forget cash for snacks, gas, and trolls
Keep your soul in the glove compartment
You are worth more than printed paper
On the road, windows are optional
Turn off the radio and put other’s dreams on airplane mode
Stretch out your hand and find your wavelength in the wind
If you see a dying town, stop and stretch your legs
There’s plenty of real estate for your ghosts
For any that want a more natural haunt
Drop them off at the nearest forest to drift in dappled sunlight
Back on the road, give space to your fellow travelers
Some are stuck on a string between one place and another
Others like you are breaking their tether
If one tries to grab on to your broken rope, shake loose
Tell them
Your destination is not my destiny
Put your foot on the gas
Hurtle down the road at the speed of childhood
Until everything is left behind
Drive until the road runs out
Then start walking.
About the Creator
Sean A.
A happy guy that tends to write a little cynically. Just my way of dealing with the world outside my joyous little bubble.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Center Stage with Gina C.
*** I'm keen to republish the interviews I did for my series with Vocal creators. It's been a few years and I thought it might be nice to revisit these wonderful conversations. I'll be releasing them one at a time for a few weeks/months.
By Heather Hubler5 days ago in Interview
Comments (19)
I’m in love with your phrases and images. Reading your work is pure pleasure so far.
Good evening, my name is Samuel I'm a poet and journalist I would love to read some of your work, and build community would love if you could check some of my work out as well-!
Back for the best of reasons. Congrats, Shaun!!! I knew this one had great potential.
Congratulations! Great poem… I especially love the twist at the end… start walking!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Or charge up your EV, and ignore The Trolls
This article paints a vivid picture of a journey. It makes me think about the idea of leaving behind the unnecessary stuff, both physically and mentally. I've been on road trips where I've felt weighed down by my own thoughts and the clutter in my car. Emptying the mind like it suggests would be quite the challenge but also liberating. I like the part about giving space to fellow travelers. I've had experiences where someone seemed a bit too eager to tag along, and it can be awkward. It's important to set boundaries, like saying "Your destination is not my destiny." The idea of driving until the road runs out and then starting to walk is really interesting. It makes me wonder where that would lead. Have you ever had a journey where you felt like you needed to keep going beyond the normal limits? What kind of unexpected things did you discover when you pushed those boundaries?
This feels like me when I just want to turn everything off except my mind and explore new terrain. So, this line stuck out for me. -Turn off the radio and put other’s dreams on airplane mode- Haha, Airplane mode. If only there was a switch that actually worked to do that. Amazing ride, this poem is. Where do I sign up?
Congrats on Top Story!
Spontaneous drives can take us on some awesome adventures.
This is amazing! I love the first line about filling up your tank a d emptying your mind
Fantastic entry. This piece feels like freedom! Congrats on the TS.
I love how it weaves the physical act of driving with the emotional journey of letting go. Congratulations on the Top Story—so well deserved!
Well-wrought! A lot of great lines for this challenge! Psst... trolls will also let you pass if you know the answers to their riddles! Keep the mind sharp!
"Your destination is not my destiny" Whoaaa, that line blew my mind. It's so deep and true. It sure packed a punch. Loved your poem!
Wonderful poem! Very inspiring!
Just wonderful, Shaun!! I got so sucked into the scene you were crafting that I forgot this was for the tattoo challenge! But some dynamite lines to be sure! Best of luck!
Oh, I love this so much, Shaun <3 "Your destination is not my destiny", goosebumps with the truth of these words <3 Drive until the road runs out, Then start walking <3 - so inspirational, so encouraging, and the perfect ending <3
I really enjoyed the concept of this poem. Let your mind and soul be free (Ps are you missing a word in this line?) ‘You are worth than printed paper’