Today’s writing prompt is inspired by Ron Salisbury’s poem “The Ride Southbound.” When the writing prompt is a poem, you can write about the title, a line or a word. You can also write about Hope. Just write whatever comes up for you.
The Ride Southbound by Ron Salisbury
When I jerked open the cab door, Hope was sitting in the back seat,
Prada dark glasses and lip gloss. This is mine, she said,
but we can share until 34th street. What’s at 34th street? I asked.
Just a sale at Macys. The driver put my two-suiter in the trunk
and the extra bag on the front seat, I climbed in with my briefcase
and umbrella. Is it gonna rain? she asked. You never know,
I answered. What’s with all the bags? It’s been a long trip.
You need all that stuff? Most of it, at least I thought I did.
The traffic on 7th Avenue slowed then didn’t, other cabs
cut us off, it was noisy, complicated, but we were there
in no time at all. Haven’t we met before? I asked. Probably,
she said. I meet a lot of people. Did we like each other?
Hard to say, she answered. She leaned over and tapped
on the window behind the cabbie. This is where I get off.
Good luck wherever you’re going. Standing on the sidewalk,
holding the door open, she said, Look at this, and hiked
her skirt to show me a small purple birth mark on her thigh.
I can’t always be perfect.
Ron Salisbury is the author of the recently published Miss Desert Inn. He writes and studies in San Diego State University’s Master of Fine Arts program, Creative Writing.
Kathy Myers
My hope is that someday I can write a vignette poem that sets the scene, introduces characters, and provides a humorous twist that intrigues the reader in so few words. Thanks Ron for sharing.
mcullen Post author
And I bet, Kathy, you will do this some day. In fact, I can see you doing this!
karen53
Loved this – so familiar, yet so new at the same time… succinct and yet speaks volumes with few words. Almost makes me miss New York ( almost 😉 ). Thanks for the ride, Ron!