The Hitchhiker

The then and now of hitchhiking

The Hitchhiker

 

Standing on a wide bend of US forty,
arm stretched and thumb pointing to the sun,
your wits undone.

 

You’re craving a quiet relaxing ride,
free from all the small talk of politics, sports,
and weather reports.

 

Cacti seem to grow before your eyes;
your feet burn like irons in blistering torment,
branding the pavement.

 

Hitchhiking was easier in the sixties.
Riders were sought after, a congenial variety
from normal society.

 

Forty years later marks a big change.
Most hitchers, no longer the traveler’s friend,
languish at the bend.

 

You know the future offers no refuge;
only a lonely trucker crisscrossing the nation,
itching for conversation.

~ Ken Reetz

Author's Note

I've revised this a number of times and wonder if there is anything else I can do for this. Suggestions are welcome

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i remember the sixties...used to hitchhike myself, and pick up hitchhikers...seems a lost art because of the danger, or paranoia...

but a ride to where? is there refuge..or would it be just you and the driver driving to nowhere, consoling each other?

and yes, they do languish at the bend...

times have changed...there isn't the naivety and trust anymore.


you capture that so well in this piece--

one part should be "Cacti seem to grow..."

jacob

[ksreetz]

good catch on the cacti seem - will tackle that now. Thanks for reading and taking time to comment.

[Ayvid N]

I can almost picture the misery of the hitchhiker painted by you so well. Thanks for the great read.

[ksreetz]

your comment much appreciated. Thank you.

[LetMeLaughLetMeSing]

Wow, this is a really nice poem. I've wondered what life is like, seen through the eyes of a hitchhiker, but no description has ever come lose to this. Great job!

[ksreetz]

Thank you Kim, Selene, and Ice - for taking time to read and comment. While looking for helpful critique I am very pleased it has been accepted as it is...at least so far.

Ice, I'm a lot of things in my mind, including an over the road trucker, but unfortunately all I do is write. My real life would be soooo boring to hear about -therefore everything depends upon my imagination and observation.

[ice]

Ken
Welcome to WC...Thanks for the post.
I did a lot of hitchiking in the sixties, only picked up by one pervert. Got out of that one. I think you covered your topic well, especially the ending.
I take it that you are an overtheroad trucker?
Enjoyed your poem

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

engaging and descriptive~ you open up both the scenery through the eyes and scenes seen behind the eyes through a timeline beautifully~

[.......]

i really enjoyed this write, especially the last stanza.
Truckers have to be lonely, it's a rough hard job to do.
They do get to see beautiful country though.
Amazing write!