Deferring Gratification

Lost driving
on roads
that confused me.
At first,
nervous
of being late.
I was burdened by
projections,
but the beauty
of that wet, twisting meander,
cast away my blues.
Perhaps,
I should have
pulled over, and
given in to the spell
of dripping, orange Maples,
the sudden gleam on
dark blue asphalt
that disarmed me like
a quick, backwoods smile.
I nearly did.
I almost called out sick,
but I shrugged it off,
and promised the woods
I'd be back soon.