drivers ed

the drivers ed
teacher was nervous.
he trembled
in the passenger seat as
the children took the wheel
and headed
off the ramp into traffic.
his foot rested
on an imaginary
brake pedal, which he pumped
and pumped to no avail.
he braced himself for death.
people are crazy out here,
he'd say.
be careful. look out.
get in the right lane,
slow down.
use your mirror,
your signal, don't
be afraid to use your horn.
by the end of the day
he started drinking.
keeping a flask of
scotch in his desk.
at night after his legs
stopped
quivering, he closed his
eyes and prayed
about tomorrow.