Dave Hughes: The Need

The Need

The need drives on.
Past reason,
past  friends,
past  family, begging you to stop,
unwilling to step into the road.
They watched your wife step calmly into your path,
armed and secure in your love.
Watched  you smash her image of you.
The need drives on.

Past a version of you,
still as a statue in a school boys uniform,
his eyes alive with hate,
standing mute witness to the promise he made.
The need drives on.

Past the last exit before the point of no return,
the roar of the engine wicking away,
the remnants of tired pleas
the wreckage of a life in the rear view mirror.
Suddenly stillness.
The need fulfilled