Honorable Mention | “Drive Backwards”

“DRIVE BACKWARDS”
WRITTEN BY JANE GOWAN
ONTARIO, CANADA

Once I get to the bottom of this constitution
once I close up the book and declare revolution
once I convince the jury of this point I’m proving

Once I find me a hobby or a new distraction
once I reload this pez dispenser I’ve been packing
once I rally the troops and call them all to action

I will drive backwards for you

’cause everybody needs a chance for peace of mind
to feel upon the breeze a memory divine
but a pair of eyes they lock away
the fallout from a day that turned the tide

Once I finish the puzzle in the morning paper
once I solve all the mysteries and great escapers
once I borrow a cup of sugar from my neighbour

once I sign up for courses that I’ve never taken
once I fix up this bicycle that keeps on breaking
once I finally admit that maybe I was mistaken

I will drive backwards for you

’cause everybody needs a chance for peace of mind
to brush away the pleas that come in threes and fives
and the passenger door’s riding hinges
barely hanging on to the sides

I will drive backwards for you…
for you