follow your own rules

the light changes to green
and he doesn't go
he sits and they pass
with their obscenities
on their way to church
no doubt and he knows
he is holding up the flow
of things on an early morning
ride where he just wants to slow down
for one brief moment
the day will no doubt be
run here run there
on time and late
but follow your own rules
and make the path you follow
mean something other than
being one in the herd
not understanding your mission
light turns yellow
pulls into the intersection
divided in half by the double line
on the other side
traveling in the wrong lane at times
stronger than another as they turn
when his high beams stare them down
he hears the familiar whistle
knows little or nothing
about the slow limp
and pipe cleaner Joe dropped
what he couldn't hold
fell down the stairs
next time he might follow
his own rules and
not worry about what another
might do because he will
and you lose
follow your own rules...