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Acceleration by Sue Finch

I am pushing the brake 
as hard as I can.
I did not waste a second 

flooring that pedal, 

getting it firm on rubber matting

yet I am accelerating


backwards. 


I have never been this fast.


The straight road taunts me with cartoon endings:

a canyon to fall in,

a brick wall to hit.


The brake still threatens to rise.


I am sure I could not 

press any harder

yet I cannot stop.


All my strength is standing down.


---


Sue Finch lives with her wife in North Wales. Her first published poem appeared in A New Manchester Alphabet in 2015 whilst studying for her MA with Manchester Metropolitan University. Her work has also appeared in a number of online magazines including: The Interpreter’s House, Ink, Sweat and Tears, Dear Reader and One Hand Clapping. Her debut collection, ‘Magnifying Glass’, was published in October 2020 with Black Eyes Publishing UK.

Comments

  1. Susan30 April 2021 at 16:58

    I did not expect the word backwards so this poem gave me the unexpected as well as well as the thrill of wondering, anticipating what would happen next. It has allowed my thoughts free rein as to what next.. brilliant piece of writing, I love it.

    ReplyDelete

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