.
Clickclick
we’re climbing that familiar hill
Clickclickclick
I feel a fresh wave of exhaustion
Click
here comes the precious pause
It will last just long enough
To catch a lump in my throat
then
Clickclickclick
the wind will lift my hair
And force me briefly, white-knuckled
Against the restraints
Click
I can already feel it
every muscle will seize and,
Uneasy with adrenaline, I’ll smile
Thankful for the reprieve
Clickclick
I’m wistful for another break
Click
I’ll look out into the untamed vegetation
As we round the last low corner
I’ll savor the pungent smells, the sun, the hot breeze
Clickclickclick
I’ll remember how short that part can be
and click
the double helix loops
will loom before my eyes and
My belly will fill with dread
and again I will see you standing there
Clickclickclick
my neck jerks to the side
You just smile and waive
With your hand on the brake
the roar of the rails deafening me

I long to screech to a halt,
Grin at the operator as the restraints pop open
Gingerly test my trembling legs
And crawl away from this hard shell
Laughing and hobbling down the stairs
Off in search of the next adventure

But instead we roll slowly past
The smiles fading from the faces
Of the eager waiting in lines
And we pass the first turn
pluging straight down again
Without pause