Kerouac On the Road Cut-Up # 2

Kerouac On the Road Cut-Up # 2

***

I was flying home from Georgia to Vermont.

I looked out the window and saw Kerouac on a cloud in the shape of a car. Cassidy was driving weaving in and out around the plane.

The pilot issued a desperate emergency warning. The plane went up and down as passengers screamed.

The child across the aisle projectile vomited. It nailed me square in the face. I wish my mouth had not been open. It tasted like a bad half digested McDonald's happy meal. 

I pulled down the oxygen mask before I upchucked. I was not successful. I nailed a stewardess and like dominos the passengers one after another began barfing.

I was grateful for that oxygen mask until it broke.

Outside the window on another cloud was Burroughs with a shotgun and Ginsberg in a dress mumbling mantras.

Burroughs through telepathy said, "Punk, where is the promised Kerouac cut-up?" 

I said, "I finished it but it does not seem complete." 

Burroughs said, "A Cut-Up is never complete. If it was it would not be a Cut-Up! Post what you have. You will do many more Kerouac cut-ups. Next time you don't listen, the plane goes down."

The Beats then began making fun of me. 

Cassidy mooned me. 

Kerouac threw apple pie. He was a good shot. He nailed my window.

Ginsbergh threw the words of America the Beautiful which stuck to the plane. 

Burroughs shot balls full of medical waste.

The smell of the plane caused me to pass out.

I awakened to the vomit-covered plane making its landing in Burlington, Vermont.

I am now waiting for my baggage and out of fear am desperately sending this Cut-Up as the High Priest ordered.

*** 

Kerouac On the Road Cut-Up # 2 

***

UNDERSTAND life love

Rich senseless emptiness  

warm heart caressed me  

ah driving on falling stars 

Leaving well ordered lives 

city stabbed my sad heart 

Leaving cold winter hell 

everything now is possible

Act of leaving had to admit 

Every moment is precious 

Felt good being bed free 

Dreamed mom's apple pie

America's ragged madness

too-big world brutal mean

sidewalks talk life straight 

Square life is God awful    

 

awakening on the road

Dropped old ordered life 

Heaven-going stars fell

Touched by holy wonder

*** 

The above Cut-Up comes from the words of On the Road as I promised Burroughs.

I never had a clue what I was getting into when I read On the Road.

At night I now dream of an ordered life where I do mundane work in a cubicle and never have one meaningful thought. 

I plan to sell my car. 

No more road trips.

***

© David Penn Trinley Arndt 2022