demon cabbie

a wild ride

...demon cabbie...

 

“we’re to the airport...fast!” I said...

“let’s go”, I said...”I’M LATE”...

i had not come to rue those words

or realize my fate...

 

he threw my luggage in the back...

it landed with a “thunk”

“c’mon...c’mon...let’s go...LET’S GO!”...

the slamming of the trunk...

 

the cabbie jumped into his seat...

he comes from who knows where...

a gold tooth graced his evil grin

and hate his piercing stare...

 

the hotel doorman at the curb

holding out his hand...

the cab took off with screeching tires...

“I’ll catch you later, man!!”

 

off like a shot...the taxi flew

“that’s what I’m talking of...”

the steaming pavement whistled by...

the sky was blue above...

 

the cabbie hunched over the wheel...

he drove with demon glee...

“he’s driving pretty fast”, I thought

as that occurred to me...

 

 

 

pedestrians...alarmed...they cursed

they jumped out of the way

their “up yours” fingers standing tall

as they all had their say...

 

the demon cabbie talked and drove...

his hands waved in the air...

the cab was weaving back and forth...

he didn’t seem to care...

 

by now I’m feeling quite alarmed

I’m hanging on the door

a knot of fear formed in my gut...

the taxi swerved some more

 

the dotted lines passed like the wind

as down the road we flew...

just like in films, we jumped the curb...

my trepidation grew...

 

“THAT’S FAST ENOUGH!”...I yelled at him

“SLOW DOWN!...”YOU DRIVE TOO FAST!”

I thought I saw him leering now

through the Plexiglass

 

we flew through traffic...fast...apace...

a traffic jam ahead...

we bore down ninety miles an hour...

went through a park instead...

 

the cab fishtailed...tore up the grass...

bowled over trash cans too...

the cab raced over hill and vale

I swear it sometimes flew

“c’mon...c’mon...slow down...SLOW DOWN!!”

I prayed that this would pass...

the cab  drove down a flight of stairs...

this knocked me on my a*s...

 

my bowels boiled in abject fear...

my head glistened with sweat...

“please, god...i hope we’re almost there!”

I hadn’t pissed...not yet

 

was that a voodoo doll that hung

and swayed from rearview mirror?

the engine roared as we sped on...

I saw my demise nearer...

 

the cabbie laughed a demon’s laugh...

I swear in tongues he spoke...

I cowered in the back seat din...

no voice...instead...I croaked...

 

the freeway ramp was up ahead...

we flew past  cars on it...

we’re weaving traffic...pass all cars...

big sweat stains at my pits...

 

we’re passing busses, trucks and planes...

my face pressed to the glass...

“HELP ME...PLEASE!!” my silent cry

to every car we pass...

 

the airport tower looms ahead...

we storm “Departures” ramp...

a silent scream fixed on my face...

my chino’s crotch is damp...

 

the taxi makes a screeching halt...

everyone turns their head...

“WE’RE HERE!!” the demon cabbie shouts...

I slowly turn my head...

 

his eyes are bloodshot...looking crazed...

I fumble for the latch...

the door creaks open...I crawl out...

shoelaces reattach...

 

on hands and knees, I bow and weep...

I kiss the concrete walk...

no thought of pet piss or chewed gum...

I’m too relieved to talk...

 

the cabbie looms above my head...

he puts my baggage down...

“YOU GOTS TO PAY ME, SIR” says he...

he scowls me up and down...

 

I stand up and recoil in fear...

I gulp...prepare to run...

I hold my wallet out to him...

“TAKE IT ALL...I’M DONE!!”

 

I grab my bags and rush inside...

I turn and hear him say...

his gold tooth sparkles in the sun...

“HEY, MON,...HAVE A GREAT DAY!”