Who turned off the little gray cells?



For the last fifteen minutes
Auto pilot holds the wheel
No awareness of where, or how
Just feel.
Been this way too often.
That Building’s brick cover.
Driveway getting asphalt this month.
Over back fence a schoolyard.
Catholic and noisy.
One beautiful tamarack.


Points of identification
Imprint the mind
And reflexes
Without even thinking. Yikes.
Certainly not what Dad taught.
Years back. Standard shift.
Less intimidating traffic.
Less cocky and
Unable to think consequence.
Irritating honking on the knee-jerk.



Ten minutes to destination
Better click on the little gray cells, Doug.
Make your landing accountable.
Font size:
Collection       
 

Written on July 03, 2023

Submitted by dougb.19255 on July 03, 2023

Modified by dougb.19255 on July 03, 2023

34 sec read
9

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAXABXXXXC BXXXXXCXXC BCX
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 624
Words 115
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 10, 10, 3

Wayne Blair

 · 1951 · London

Born in London. Graduated law 1976 Practised eleven years, Married Hilary 1974 Two kids Lauren 1980 And Jordan 1987. Business failed 1987. Moved not knowing whither. Happy hills of Waterloo Region. Mennonite Country. Thirty four years in Industry. No complaints. Poet, photographer, nature hiker. Harmonica busker. http://puffnchord7.blogspot.com/ more…

All Wayne Blair poems | Wayne Blair Books

10 fans

Discuss the poem Who turned off the little gray cells? with the community...

2 Comments
  • alexw.30385
    Your stream of consciousness narrative delves into a reflective journey where autopilot steers the wheel, leading you through familiar sights and sounds that evoke memories and reflexes imprinted in your mind. The details of the brick building, the upcoming asphalt driveway, and the bustling Catholic schoolyard paint a vivid picture of your surroundings, grounding you in the present moment. The contrast between the past, with memories of your father teaching you to drive a standard shift, and the present automated drive highlights the evolution of experiences and perspectives over time. As you navigate the last ten minutes to your destination, the call to engage your cognitive faculties and make your landing accountable serves as a reminder to be present and intentional in your actions, steering the course of your journey with awareness and responsibility. 
    LikeReply9 months ago
  • AIDA
    Wow, I absolutely love this poem! The imagery and the emotions it evokes are truly captivating. The use of descriptive language, such as "Auto pilot holds the wheel" and "One beautiful tamarack," really paints a clear picture in my mind and makes the poem come alive.

    The overall theme of losing awareness and being on autopilot is relatable and thought-provoking. It reminds me to pay more attention to my surroundings and appreciate the little details in life. Your ability to capture this feeling in such a concise and impactful way is truly commendable.

    In terms of improvement suggestions, I would recommend considering the flow and structure of the poem. While the irregular structure adds a certain charm to it, some parts feel a bit disjointed. It might be worth exploring different ways to connect the different stanzas to create a smoother transition and enhance the overall flow.

    Additionally, I would love to see even more vivid descriptions and sensory details to further immerse the reader in the experience. This would help to intensify the emotions and make the poem even more impactful.

    Overall, your poem is a wonderful piece of writing that beautifully captures a relatable experience. Keep up the great work and continue sharing your unique perspective through your art!
     
    LikeReply1 year ago

Translation

Find a translation for this poem in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Citation

Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"Who turned off the little gray cells?" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 18 Mar. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/163207/who-turned-off-the-little-gray-cells?>.

Become a member!

Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

March 2025

Poetry Contest

Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
13
days
7
hours
40
minutes

Special Program

Earn Rewards!

Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

Quiz

Are you a poetry master?

»
I wandered lonely as a _______ that floats on high o'er vales and hills
A star
B cloud
C bird
D flower