The What-If Bus

Come take a ride on the What-If Bus sit by the window and don't miss the view. We're going to places--fantastical places imagined by only unfortunate few. What if the pumpkin bread I made and gave to family and friends was baked in loaf pans greased with RAID rather than non-stick PAM? What if the burners are lit on the stove (although I've checked each one four times)? So I drive back home the garage door is down--CHECK the front door is locked--CHECK the toaster unplugged--CHECK and touch each knob while the voice in my head like a constant alarm bell chimes-- OFF OFF OFF OFF Come take a ride on the What-If bus. What if the house burns down? or gas fills up the house and in carbon monoxide my babies drown? What if then I lose my mind and curl up like a fetus, forget all I knew? Yeah, come take a ride on the What-If bus. What's the matter-- you don't like the view? Come take a ride on the What-If bus. What if I say the wrong thing? What if I call my boss a bitch or my husband another man's name? What if instead of Merry Christmas I write in my cards things I never should tell? What if I take off my clothes in church and run through the aisles screaming "Shit! Damn! Hell!" Come take a ride on the What-If bus. All the passengers get to drive. And we're all so tired we'd sleep at the wheel if only we could close our eyes.... if only for a moment we could close our eyes. by Lisa Rodriguez 1998