windows down inhaling juniper and piñon pine
Ray Bans resting comfortably on my face
I pass road signs pointing to tribal reservation
like Acoma Laguna Zuni Pueblos Sandia
San Felipe Santa Ana when suddenly
a series of dings warns me the gas tank is low
like a beacon of light looming on the horizon
I pull into the station wait my turn for service
the attendant saunters over to my car
and without saying a word punches the 93 button
shoves the nozzle into the tank removes her Lakers cap
leans back against my open window
like tree rings holding seasons of memory
her jet black hair unwinds inches from my face
blocks my view of the digital fuel dispenser
I clear my throat ask where the bathrooms are
staking territorial claim she folds her arms
as a coyote scampers between the coin operated air pumps
desperate to stretch my legs I push on the door
feel greater resistance
thinking of a way to outsmart this wily attendant
I ask if the curious may visit the reservations
she takes a step away from my door
weaves her hair into two braids folds it under her cap
sensing pressure change the automatic nozzle shuts off
I step out set my feet on the dusty gravel
she follows the scent of the coyote to a dry lake bed
I’m left holding the credit card
my car takes 87 I yell into the barren wilderness
the wind scatters my words
walking across the back road credit card still in hand
I pass the reservation signs
realize my keys are in the ignition with a full tank of gas
she call out to me as I lengthen my strides
I’ve never traveled to Albuquerque
but if I did I’d take the back roads
______
Paul Rabinowitz is an author, screenwriter, photographer and founder of ARTS By The People. He is the author of six books. Rabinowitz’s photography, prose and poetry appear in magazines and journals including The Sun Magazine, New World Writing, Arcturus-Chicago Review Of Books, Evening Street Press, The Montreal Review, Stone Poetry Quarterly, and elsewhere. Rabinowitz’s poems and fiction are the inspiration for eight award winning experimental films.