Passion Race

2 cars
3 stoplights
Headlights raking across a dark night
First light green go ahead
And the game ensues
One sleek black
Angular lines with leather clad seats
Chrome glinting in moonlight
One crimson red
Smooth curves with cushioned padded interior
Windows half down, mirrors reflecting
Slow crawl towards the light
Anticipation of the jump ahead
Soft hum of motor's idle and
Wheels gently hugging the hot pavement
2nd light
And the rev begins
Roars through pipes and becomes the scream of mechanical strain
Gas biting at brakes to be untethered
Light goes green
And force of energy rockets through molded steel
As screeching tires scrape at the asphalt
Gas pumps, high octane flowing
4 to 4 cylinders match pace, heart valves
Speeding towards the goal
One pursuing the other
Competition for the line prize
Surging forward ever faster
Grating whine builds in pitch
Line now in sight
And the black
Overtakes a fraction inches gained
And pops the clutch
And explodes at top speed, engine spent
Only to suddenly
Be bypassed by the crimson at the line
Riding ahead in a wild driving burst of rush
Gauges high and reading hot
Crossing the line 2 tire lengths ahead
Past the 3rd light
Slamming on the brakes and crimson
Spinning sideways 180 degrees
A display of triumph
Sliding to a shuddering rocking stop
Engines steaming hot in victory
But winners both in this close race
A cocky glance in a moment of recognition
A nod of respect, matched passions, tension released
Before peeling out again into the humid darkness
Tailights red down the road
Gone