082015   082024

Ruth practiced with the steering wheel 
in the driveway when she was 10
when 16 on the Francistown Turnpike I said
“Relax shoulders or hands whatever is tense,”
by the end of the first run
she deftly rode its narrow straights and gentle curves.
Returning from Thanksgiving a few weeks later 
suddenly above the Hudson River
she focused closely on the car in front of us
and soon we were 
oops on the Taconic.
Spring in San Francisco in the Cadillac rental
curves and bricks were easy-peasy
winding the Caddy down Lombard Street.