Duel Poem by Kevin Patrick

Route 89, and the battle has begun
In a cold war, of road rage, under death valleys sun
Black smoke plummets from a Peterbilts exhaust
Declaring the challenge in the death ship of rust
As an unsuspecting Plymouth drives from the rear
About to learn a lesson in adrenalin course of fear
Where no one alive can hear you squeal and tell
In a duel of chicken through the back roads of hell


At First it's a game, of drive fast or slow
But you can't past the 20 tone semi obstacle
Then he lets you swing, nearly hitting a car
Gashing your attention with full prestige's scars
Now apprehension slowly grows down your chilling spine
While destiny and catastrophe begin intertwine
You realize there's no way to turn on the brakes
For now it's a duel down the motorways grave


Boom! It's the tail light, smashed by the Bumper
Driving through the boot, in neck to neck chopper
Crash! Goes your back, as you impact inertia
Tripping on the wheal spring Mexican nirvana
You speed through the hills trying to shake him
But he comes by the overpass silently waiting
To resume the most dangerous game of insanity
Driving the edge of a duel with perusing ferocity

Fan Belts ignite, as the coolant pressure erupts
Break fluids dry, overcompensating ignition thrust
A symphony of terror, rolls fast on heavy metal
Grinding at the hubcaps, dodging under the axel
Suddenly, you plot and turn, breaking up his speed
But differentials compromise accelerating wildly
And now he's gunning down the other side of lanes
Waiting to ignite his full malevolence of rage

The speed chronometer
is reveled up with fuel
And now you reach the final page
and 3…2…1… Duel!