Pulled up
Brake on
Engine off
Heart racing
Step out of the car
Hands where I can see them
shaking
Knees weak as water
Then
Laughter
comes up fast
on the inside
Overtakes me
Hooting
Honking
Cheering
Crowds gather
Curious
A little anxious
Watching me
dance in the Co-op car park
Beaming
Grinning from ear to ear
‘Passed your test?’
Yes
Twenty years ago
Today…
Today I just
Drove
Again.
By myself.
Someone flashes me
The smile
of a fellow-traveller
I had a break-down
I was lost for a while
I’m back in the driving seat
Now
Watching
the
road
to recovery
in the rear-view mirror.