Bay to Breakers

Photo by Rachel Hoyt. © 2011 All rights reserved.

The tortoise and the hare raced in the San Francisco rain

as other costumed folks rushed the streets like bulls in Spain.

I suppose no observer would have called their pace racing

but if you asked them, they'd blame inadequate spacing.

With mobs of Elvis's, Waldos and Smurfs in your way,

it's funner to indulge your turtle pace for a day.

It was the Bay to Breakers centennial anniversary,

an event all gallavanters and lookie-loos should see.

Unfortunately, some of the locals hope it was the last.

They aim to make this race/party a thing of the past.

It's similar to the problem faced by Floatopia fans:

a rowdy minority peeing wherever and leaving behind beer cans.

The difference between the two is the "honeymoon" length.

Each time an event repeats itself, the tradition gains strength.

After a hundred years, many families have built memories

racing in costume or hosting street side revelries.

At what point does the event come with the territory?

Can't the people work together to keep things hunky-dory?

I know no other race where you could go

to see such a wacky and incredible show.

Captain Hook wandering around with Tinkerbell.

Angels from Heaven jogging with demons from Hell.

The Royal Wedding running past the US Cabinet.

People taking pictures with some naked guy they just met.

Sure, no event can accommodate everyone's taste,

but that doesn't mean we should destroy it with haste.

One hundred years is a long time to keep up tradition.

Must mother nature strike again to prevent it's omission?

The tortoise remembered that was how it all began...

and to honor another tradition, she ran....

three steps across the finish line, winning again.

 © Rachel Hoyt 2011.  All rights reserved.


This rhyme is being shared at One Stop Poetry.
Click on over to join in the fun with me.

I'm also sharing this poem in the Thursday Poet's Rally
and would like to thank those who voted for me in the tally.
I'm overjoyed to win the Perfect Poet Award - Summer 2011.
Your votes (to me) are like manna from heaven.

Technorati Tags: Entertainment, Blogging, Bay to Breakers, Humor, Costumes, Poetry

Drunken Turtle Pirate Driving

                     Photo courtesy of tungphoto via freedigitalphotos.net

I never thought I would be the type,
to swear like a pirate while driving.
But to say I don't profanely gripe,
would be blatant, preposterous lying.

I always start out 100% calm,
then suddenly feel surrounded by crazy.
My stomach begins to qualm,
and my benevolence towards others turns hazy.

I understand they're in a rush,
but it really doesn't help the traffic flow...
to sweep across lanes & such,
leading the fast lane 'til you absolutely must go.

I realize that mistakes may happen,
when you're wandering streets like a stray.
But, new neighborhood = pay attention...
enough to realize that traffic goes only one way.

And don't get me started,
on the proper angles for turning,
Or parking retarded...
both make my anger start burning.

I bet the drivers around me laugh,
as I make bold hand gestures and yell...
wishing I could rip their car in half,
or bring justice by casting a magic spell.

I guess we all are really just,
roadside entertainment for each other.
And I would like to suggest,
that it's not worth angering one another.

While I may not be able,
to change your silly driving habits.
I suggest we flip flop the fable,
by thinking like turtles, not rabbits.

We all know the kids' book,
where the tortoise beats the hare in a race.
Slow & steady was all it took,
for him to reach his destination in first place.

You may find that, like me,
you complain (without audience) to cope.
I hope eventually they'll see,
that their short cut maneuvers are a joke.

Perhaps when that occurs,
the traffic will finally flow free.
'Til then, excuse my words...
a drunken turtle pirate I must be.

© Rachel Hoyt 2010 - 2011