Zvi A. Sesling has had work in Midstream, Ship of Fools, The Chaffin
Journal, South Boston Literary Gazette, Poetica, Ibbetson Street, Main Channel
Voices, Illya’s Honey, The Tower (Canada), Matrix (New Zealand) and Voices
Israels. Poems are scheduled to appear in Hazmat Review, Poetry Motel, Pegasus,
Asphodel and Poetica. He received 3rd Prize in the 2004 Reuben Rose
International Poetry Competition.
Lola
I was driving on the turnpike heading home
Late at night. I turned on the radio to keep
Awake. The Kinks were singing Lola and
I was tapping my foot to the music which
Made the car speed up and slow down, with
The net cumulative effect being my driving
About twenty miles an hour over the speed
Limit. Pretty soon a blue light was flashing
Behind me and a siren wailing, too. I pulled
Over and a voice boomed out, "Turn off the
Motor and put your hands on the steering
Wheel." I did as ordered and waited for the
Policeman to come up to me. When he did,
He said, "Lower the window." However, I
Couldn't because the motor was off and the
Window was electric, so the policeman
Signaled for me to get out of the car, then
Ordered me to turn, spread my legs and put
My hands on the car. He patted me down
And then told me to walk a straight line,
Which I did successfully. He then requested
I spread my arms and touch my nose, first
With the index finger of my right hand, and
Then my left. Again I passed this test successfully.
"You realize you were exceeding the speed limit
By twenty miles per hour," he asked? "Actually
Officer, I didn't. I was tapping my foot to the
Music," I told him politely, explaining I was
Seduced by Lola. "I see," he said, "you like to
Dance while driving." "No, the music just got
To me. It's a great beat." He studied me for a
Minute. "There's a dance down at the high school.
Follow me. We'll probably have a good time,"
He said.
