This is Your Sign to Stop Saving for Retirement

Cars became a licorice twist during the evening commute

causing his seatbelt to hug the deflated balloon 

that’s been slowly leaking air from underneath his skin

since conceding to pay into a retirement plan.

But right here on the freeway, the air held itself in

as a reply to being held by something looking out for him.

The extra oxygen elbowed its way into the collection

of soldiers, starched shirts, and buckled knees,

stiff items collected when pain talked itself out of expression

A few muscle fibers unfolded into words:

I don’t want to do this.

The stale air of his lungs finally filled

with something other than absence.  

For the first time since conceding, he made his own decision. 

He decided to brake suddenly more often.