Miles I Have Driven

Check your mirror, watch your speed, crunching the gears, now there’s no need
Three point turns and uphill starts, I’ll never get this driving lark.
The second attempt got me through, so much to think about that is true
No longer a learner I’ve passed the test, now join the highway with the rest

Early on my driving life, was pretty easy without much strife
Then my role at work did change, a Company car, how very strange
No tyres to buy or car to service, I must admit I was a little nervous
Driving miles and miles each day, North, South, East and West, yes every way

Motorways merging into one, the dark grey tarmac I began to own
Near misses in the rush-hour traffic, eyes transfixed trying not to panic
Rain and sleet, sun and snow, through every season I did go
Dazzling lights in the night time drive, until my destination I do arrive

Lorries spray me as I pass, I put my foot down on the gas
Counting cones all red and white, illuminated once day ‘comes night
Another contra flow in sight, the lanes are narrowing, this looks tight
The sign says fourty, no faster please
Past the truck my car I squeeze

In foreign lands my wheels have rolled,
Over mountain passes and through many tolls
Lanes of five on a US freeway, queuing at the gate for the cross-channel ferry
Tuscany’s roads wind here and there
In Greece they drive without much care
Through Spanish cities I take a chance
It’s more relaxed through rural France

It’s early morn’, another day, two hours to drive, so I’m on my way
My regular route I know it well, but landmarks no longer can I tell
Everything just becomes a blur, you drive and drive until you’re there

Press the clutch, change the gears
So many times throughout the years
Gearbox failures, tyres without tread
I get the estimate filled with dread

I must admit I’ve driven fast, some cars I’ve owned just didn’t last
MOT’S that were doomed to fail, down to the dealer for another sale
I’ve turned every corner, driven many cars, driven in the rain and under the stars
Over hills and vales, and ferries I’ve ridden,
Over a million miles I have driven.

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