A14
shifting left to right slow lane middle lane
back to slow lane indicator tick-tick-tick
indicator off rearview articulated truck
coming up fast on inside grey van moves
right moves left again silver sun glaring
off wet tarmac mobile home sashays
strays speeds up in slow lane middle lane
sliproad traffic filters in check wing mirror
check rearview mirror check speed check
time check fuel gauge going down low-
loader stacked with scaffold planks bumps
rattles clangs in and out over dotted lines
check rearview check wing think pull out
into fast lane high lit-up digital sign con-
gestion ahead tuck back in tight behind
low-loader stay centre middle lane check
speed spray-wipe screen scaffold boards
wagging up and down must overtake think
indicate think foot down think quicker
now soundless single slow-motion board
slips rope bounces free tips slides drifts
and flies floats about to land somewhere
think brake accelerate think foot down foot
down think foot down think wheel think
Clare Best has published a memoir, The Missing List, two full collections of poetry and several collaborative works. She was recently a Fellow at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Latest publication: End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore 2022).