Shotgun Slumber | Teen Ink

Shotgun Slumber MAG

April 22, 2009
By Megan Buckner BRONZE, Gilford, New Hampshire
Megan Buckner BRONZE, Gilford, New Hampshire
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

My face is smushed against the glass –
cheekbone and jawline numb from
the cold, and long hours spent pressed
against the window. Rhythmic breaths
create patches of fog along the contours of my nose and lips.

Out of the corner of my right eye
I catch glimpses of the landscape we
pass by, but I’ve seen it all before.
Concrete barriers and painted lines
keep my driver on course.

Beyond the asphalt and wildflower medians
sprawl cornfields, suburban neighborhoods,
vast parks. Perpetual movement fools me
and for a moment, I am stationary –
free to view the passing still frames
of others’ lives.

Another mile marker and tired eyes flutter –
the endless strings of telephone lines,
cow pastures and landfills blur together
as the lullaby resonating from the spinning
axles beneath my feet sings me to sleep again.



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This article has 158 comments.


RiaRen SILVER said...
on Jun. 9 2009 at 1:18 am
RiaRen SILVER, New Bothwell, Other
8 articles 0 photos 75 comments
hye awesome poem. besides wat everybody is saying, i think the title fits. your poem at is well written and i like the words that were used. it was a bit compex, but i liked it!!

if you could, could you comment on my poems when you have a chance?

on Jun. 8 2009 at 1:59 am
xXkittygrrxX BRONZE, Wellington, Florida
2 articles 1 photo 5 comments
very good

on Jun. 6 2009 at 3:37 pm
yoitskarilla BRONZE, Port Orange, Florida
1 article 0 photos 1 comment
that last stanza was very strong

powerful finish

on Jun. 4 2009 at 10:21 pm
MeghanMichelle GOLD, Hooksett, New Hampshire
12 articles 0 photos 77 comments
Amazing poem!

I wish I had your talent!

on Jun. 1 2009 at 10:27 pm
PeacemakerPanda SILVER, Surprise, Arizona
5 articles 13 photos 3 comments
This reminds me of when I was on my way to California to see my love. I understand the feeling. Very lovely.

on May. 31 2009 at 5:09 pm
Love_Kills_the_Blind PLATINUM, Fort Collins, Colorado
23 articles 5 photos 32 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Never regret anything, at one point its exactly what you wanted."

this was aa great poem but i dont see how it relates to the title...but otherwise it as amazing!

on May. 28 2009 at 11:06 pm
ShernayB. DIAMOND, Southfield, Michigan
62 articles 1 photo 881 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Some things will never change"---Tupac

this is beautiful! you are so talented and i like how your words are carefully coordinating with the others...good job!!

FarmGirl said...
on May. 28 2009 at 10:45 pm
FarmGirl, East Grand Rapids, Michigan
0 articles 0 photos 15 comments
love it

it was cool

liked the metaphor

brina SILVER said...
on May. 27 2009 at 12:05 am
brina SILVER, Middletown, Indiana
9 articles 0 photos 15 comments
very interesting peom:)

on May. 26 2009 at 5:55 pm
Caitlyn_ilovesoftball GOLD, Douds, Iowa
15 articles 9 photos 105 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Hello Cat-i-lynn Mill-ard-o,&quot; -friends<br /> &quot;Stop saying that!! My name ain&#039;t Cat-i-lynn Mill-ard-o!!&quot; -Me<br /> &quot;Okay, fine, Hello Cat.&quot;-friends<br /> (GRRRRR)<br /> ----Also----<br /> &quot;You a turtle on steroids!&quot;-friends<br /> &quot;Hahaha, I know&quot; -ME

Awesome, keep writing!!!!

jgb1300 said...
on May. 26 2009 at 3:22 pm
This was confusing.

on May. 21 2009 at 3:25 pm
GodsWarrior24 BRONZE, Kearney, Nebraska
3 articles 0 photos 12 comments
hey not a bad poem i think its kinda carzy tho and got alot of vilence i think

on May. 18 2009 at 9:30 pm
KassidyLeigh GOLD, Brewer, Maine
11 articles 4 photos 18 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;There are a millions guys who will try to pick you up but only one can sweep you off your feet!&quot; -Emily Illingworth

I like the way that this paints a clear picture of whats going on in your head, and that you can picture everything that is going on. Really coll. You should check out 11:11 Memories on teen ink raw!

on May. 18 2009 at 12:41 am
Tamara*Monta BRONZE, Warren, Texas
4 articles 0 photos 19 comments

Favorite Quote:
never regret sompthing that once made u smile

Great poem put my imagnation (spelling) in to play nice work

on May. 16 2009 at 2:28 am
Twilightnme SILVER, Anchorage, Alaska
6 articles 0 photos 50 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;You dont know what you have until its gone&quot;

nice job. I really like how the story is written. The title is awesome... and mysterious, i guess. I get the title now... hehe

on May. 14 2009 at 10:43 pm
Renaissance SILVER, Milpitas, California
6 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;What is today but yesterday&#039;s tomorrow?&quot;

One word... BRILLIANT!!!

smilie! BRONZE said...
on May. 13 2009 at 10:04 pm
smilie! BRONZE, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
2 articles 0 photos 2 comments
awesome! i could really picture the landscape.write more!!!!

on May. 13 2009 at 9:52 pm
MsBrownAK BRONZE, Anchorage, Alaska
2 articles 0 photos 1 comment
This is one of the best poems I have ever read because it has a great image.

on May. 12 2009 at 2:39 am
Kendall Arakawa BRONZE, Flowery Branch, Georgia
2 articles 0 photos 1 comment
Great imagery, love it. write some more! :)

Birch BRONZE said...
on May. 9 2009 at 1:12 pm
Birch BRONZE, Shorewood, Minnesota
3 articles 4 photos 1 comment
i am assuming the title, as ChelseyRae already pointed out, is referring to shotgun as the passenger seat of a car, and slumber as falling asleep at the end of the poem