The Old Car

Lyrics:

© Grathy
I start the car and begin my journey. The weather seems favorable, and the road looks smooth. There’s a short hill up ahead, and as I ascend it, I hear a rattle.

I think it’s coming from the engine, but I decide to ignore it. After all, I’ve heard this sound before, and eventually, it goes away. So, I keep driving, my eyes firmly fixed on the horizon line as the sun begins to sink.

The pavement is a bit bumpy, and now I hear something else coming from the car. It’s a small whine, almost like an injured animal. Again, I’ve heard it a few times before, but for some reason, it keeps getting louder.

But I continue to drive, getting used to the complaints of the car, until I hear something else. Perhaps the car is getting winded.

It’s an unfamiliar sound, and I cannot tell where it’s coming from, but I keep driving, the cobalt twilight making it harder to see.

Perhaps I should turn around and go home. Just stay in my house and let the car sit. Nothing more can happen to it if I stay home.

But I can’t. I have places to go and things to see.

I accelerate a bit, hoping my car will make it over the hill.

And then I hear another noise that I’ve not heard before…

We are all trying to mitigate the challenges of the future. Do we adhere to the cautionary voice we hear inside, or plow ahead anyway, ignoring the potential consequences?

What does your inner voice tell you to do?