The Morning Commute

// April 27, 2026 That's emotional support rust. Intro: Bad Bad News, Leon Bridges, Columbia (2018) Poem: And Isn't Everything at Risk, Gregory Orr Music: Comfortably Numb, Scissor Sisters, Polydor Records (2004)

These donuts aren't gonna eat themselves. Intro: Come on Eileen, Save Ferris, Epic (1997) Poem: Late Fragment, Raymond Carver Music: Groove Is in the Heart, Deee-Lite, Elektra Records (1990)

Nothing says 'productivity' like people who won't take their right of way. Intro: Come on Eileen, Save Ferris, Epic (1997) Poem: Te Deum, Charles Reznikoff Music: Grace Kelly, MIKA, Casablanca Records/Island UK (2007)

The merge lane is about momentum, not courtesy. Intro: Come on Eileen, Save Ferris, Epic (1997) Poem: The Committee Weighs In, Andrea Cohen Music: Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat), Digable Planets, Pendulum Records (1993)

Is this existential dread or just...Tuesday? Intro: Come on Eileen, Save Ferris, Epic (1997) Poem: In Memoriam, Leo Dangel Music: Ooh La La, Goldfrapp, Mute, a BMG Company (2005)

We're all just one poorly-timed intersection from being late. Intro: Come on Eileen, Save Ferris, Epic (1997) Poem: Cabbage, Charles Simic Music: Hollywood Swinging, Kool & The Gang, Island Mercury (1973)

Get in, losers, we're getting donuts. Intro: About Damn Time, Lizzo, Nice Life/Atlantic (2022) Poem: From time to time, Matsuo Basho Music: Ice Cream, New Young Pony Club, Universal Music Australia Pty. Ltd. (2007)

What's the deal with commuting, am I right? Intro: About Damn Time, Lizzo, Nice Life/Atlantic (2022) Poem: A Prayer for Future Us, Harriet Solinas Music: Sun of a Gun, Oh Land, Epic (2011)

Day-old coffee is still coffee. Intro: About Damn Time, Lizzo, Nice Life/Atlantic (2022) Poem: My Mother Asks How I'm Doing with Just Whiskey and Cats, Joyce Sullivan Music: Chains of Love, Erasure, Rhino/Warner Records (1988)

The door's not child-locked, it just...won't open. Intro: About Damn Time, Lizzo, Nice Life/Atlantic (2022) Poem: Love comes quietly, Robert Creeley Music: Bear with Me, Propaganda;Marz Ferrer, Fair Trade/Columbia (2017)

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts will take you past the QuikTrip. Intro: About Damn Time, Lizzo, Nice Life/Atlantic (2022) Poem: Watching the last boat, Linda Gregg Music: Bend & Break, Keane, UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) (2004)

Two dozen glazed and nobody to share them with. Just me and this exit ramp. Intro: Funky Times 1.0, Funky Times, K-Mountain Productions (2021) Poem: To Kiss a Forehead Is to Erase Worry, Marina Tsvetaeva Music: Rock Steady - Radio Edit, The Whispers, UNIDISC MUSIC INC. (1987)

Close your eyes. Now open them. That's the closest I get to ASMR while driving. Intro: Funky Times 1.0, Funky Times, K-Mountain Productions (2021) Poem: Those Winter Sundays, Robert Hayden Music: Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing, Incognito, UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) (1992)

Bitter gas station coffee pairs well with exhaust. Intro: Funky Times 1.0, Funky Times, K-Mountain Productions (2021) Poem: Road Warrior, Eileen Myles Music: Don't Wait Too Long, Madeleine Peyroux, Rounder Records (2004)

No housework day. I also subscribe to no roadwork day. Intro: Funky Times 1.0, Funky Times, K-Mountain Productions (2021) Poem: Arrival, Michael Longley Music: Lady Day, Gil Scott-Heron

New week. Fresh start. Slightly stale Twinkie from the glove box. Intro: Funky Times 1.0, Funky Times, K-Mountain Productions (2021) Poem: In California, Margaret Levine Music: Yellow Daze, Jafunk;Triple H Horns;Adi Oasis, Luckie Star Records (2024)

I took the chains off the donuts. Tires. I mean tires. Intro: Happy Idiot, TV On The Radio, Harvest Records (2014)v Poem: Maple, Jane Hirshfield Music: Gypsy, Fleetwood Mac, Warner Records (1988)

If you don't fishtail at least once are you even commuting? Intro: Happy Idiot, TV On The Radio, Harvest Records (2014) Poem: To Be Alive, Gregory Orr Music: Smoke and Mirrors, PJ Morton, Morton Records / EMPIRE (2024)

Birds sing; I croon. Intro: Happy Idiot, TV On The Radio, Harvest Records (2014) Poem: Mrs. Darwin, Carol Ann Duffy Music: Tieduprightnow, Parcels, Because Music (2018)

I love when the traffic clears and everyone forgets how fast they were going. Intro: Discopolis, Discoholic, Discoholic (2024) Poem: April, Sandra Lim Music: Keep That Coffee Hot, Scatman Crothers, Universal Digital Enterprises (1956)

My GPS and I aren't on speaking terms. Intro: Discopolis, Discoholic, Discoholic (2024) Poem: Tired, Langston Hughes Music: That's Love, Oddisee, Mello Music Group (2015)

Is it zipper merge or button-fly merge? Intro: Discopolis, Discoholic, Discoholic (2024) Poem: From 'Vita Nova', Louise Glück Music: How Much Do You Love Me?, Vulfmon;Jacob Jeffries, Vulf Records (2022)

We've been in this turn lane so long we're facing the wrong way. Intro: Discopolis, Discoholic, Discoholic (2024) Poem: We shake with joy, Mary Oliver Music: Can't Steal My Heaven, Caleb Hawley, Storage Unit Records (2023)

The light was yellow. I believe that with my heart. Intro: Discopolis, Discoholic, Discoholic (2024) Poem: Concurrence, Denise Levertov Music: Bulletproof, La Roux, Polydor Records (2009)

C'mon, this box of donuts isn't gonna eat itself! Intro: Take Your Mama, Scissor Sisters, Polydor Records (2004) Poem: Love Is Not All, Edna St. Vincent Millay Music: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Wham!, Columbia (1984)