excerpts from four months on the road, with three near-strangers, in a big green rv. i’d like to say they’re inspired by Kerouac’s American haiku, but tbh I discovered them later.
day one
lost in the desert
dirt road not the way to go
grand canyon ahead
grand canyon
the bus drove past us.
canyon covered in mist. fog?
the bliss called “shower.”
santa fe
art and montañas
the man with the ferret-hat
aliens are next
dallas
button showers suck
flat flat flat flat flat flat flat
needing to learn pool
__
the worst in people.
hard to see. what dallas needs:
festival of changes.
austin
should we see chingy?
contemplations made at Stubbs
after long day’s drive
__
torchy’s tacos–yes!
sometimes you just gotta sleep–
get in the cocoon.
—
ihop. 3am.
quick! run from the fireworks.
jump in the river?
st. louis
city museum.
take cover–ball pit of doom!
then ten. story. slide.
chicago
searching for parking.
circling circling, oy.
searching for parking.
__
dumping all of the shit
overflowing everywhere.
hazard. catharsis.
__
sit. dock of the lake.
cold cold nighttime wanderings,
wanting to climb things.
minneapolis
bowling! bowling! swerve.
gutter balls on gutter balls
and now, we dare you.
__
blackout espresso.
jitter jitter jitter: spy.
the road goes all night.
mt. rushmore
fuck yeah, america
proud to be an american?
let’s start wars, bitches.
yellowstone
thanks, bacteria.
i love you, bacteria.
a beautiful day.
idaho
turn a corner, find:
stunning valley of trees. trees!
welcome! idaho.
portland
the worst dance moves evs
wandering the streets again
how we love burlesque
eugene
there’s a game shop here?
“Turn up Eugene,” we dare you.
loud! nekeed succeeds.
crescent city
knock knock on the door
will you speak at juvie hall?
a sobering day
washington d.c.
cincinatti house
tour guide of polite duress–
opium interest?
louisville
kentucky derby
99 green luftballoons
you must wear a hat
new orleans
the spotted cat club:
night alive and electric.
spin me around, and–
el paso
a fort bliss postcard
the lights of ciudad juarez
and two bananas in the checkout line
—
washing my face
in a bad chinese restaurant:
don’t mess with texas.
west of salt lake city
hail+wind = big sail
on the roof tying duct tape.
taking the first step.
denver
chalk art washed away,
ephemeral. and we bike.
our spot in the park.
christinezirneklis.com 