Under Pressure--By Jim Teeters--United States

Under Pressure

Beneath the earth
lava burns
a molten core

we walk the crust
do daily chores and
    chase dreams
hoping life continues
knowing it ends

the walk is
    toward a precipice
    a burial, closer
    to earth’s
        furnace

this knowledge
    hurries us
        makes us
        hate traffic jams

Jim Teeters has published poetry in several anthologies. He conducts poetry workshops for children and adults and is active in poetry readings in the Seattle area through the Striped Water Poets. He is the author of six poetry collections and the book, Teach with Style, (ASTD Press July 2013). Jim is a retired social worker living in Kent, Washington.