startled by
what’s come into view
sprouting from the road
in front of me

it doesn’t make sense
but I surely drove through it
a curtain in the road
a rainbow sheet uprisen

from wet-black pavement
no illusion I swear
felt it on the car
felt it in my eyes

am I the same jerk
who drove into it
or am I now
completely changed

by an illusion
after all — it has happened before
it used to be called
childhood and then it was

over and
then it was love 
and then it was 
service and family

growing into 
your true colors
must mean something
if the illusion is to count

I made it this far after all
with my own two faces
my own weakening hands
they say get a grip on yourself

which one should I hold
I respond 
they are confused
as am I 

but not for
the same reason
I promise you
with one wet voice