The Morning Commute
Join fellow remote co-workers in a brief commute of fun, music, and poetry. We're better together!
May 7, 2026
You don't need to signal. We can all see where this is going.
Intro: Boy With a Coin, Iron & Wine, Sub Pop Records (2007)Poem: local man ruins everything, Adrienne NovyMusic: Canned Heat, Jamiroquai, Sony Music CG (1999)May 6, 2026
The merge lane is about momentum, not courtesy.
Intro: Boy With a Coin, Iron & Wine, Sub Pop Records (2007)Poem: Artemis II, Leslie J. AndersonMusic: California Soul, Marlena Shaw, GRP (1969)May 5, 2026
Carpooling is just peer pressure with seatbelts.
Intro: Boy With a Coin, Iron & Wine, Sub Pop Records (2007)Poem: Coda, Octavio PazMusic: Tightrope (feat. Big Boi) - Big Boi Vocal Edit, Janelle Monáe;Big Boi, Bad Boy/Wondaland (2010)May 4, 2026
My GPS said 'turn around when possible.' I've been trying to do that since high school.
Intro: Boy With a Coin, Iron & Wine, Sub Pop Records (2007)Poem: Instructions on Not Giving Up, Ada LimónMusic: Workin' For a Livin', Huey Lewis & The News, Chrysalis\EMI Records (USA) (1982)May 1, 2026
I'm not too proud for day-old donuts.
Intro: Bad Bad News, Leon Bridges, Columbia (2018)Poem: On Meditating, Sort Of, maryMusic: Good Man, The Grooveliner;Aina Cook;Ryan Stewart, The Grooveliner (2021)April 30, 2026
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the left lane.
Intro: Bad Bad News, Leon Bridges, Columbia (2018)Poem: From 'Sabbaths 2007', Wendell BerryMusic: Plant the Garden, Melt, Melt Records (2024)April 29, 2026
The world would be a kinder place if we learned how to zipper-merge.
Intro: Bad Bad News, Leon Bridges, Columbia (2018)Poem: This World, Czesław MiłoszMusic: Your Soul & Mine, BADBADNOTGOOD, XL Recordings (2024)April 28, 2026
I remember when driverless cars meant using your knees.
Intro: Bad Bad News, Leon Bridges, Columbia (2018)Poem: In the Morning, Before Anything Bad Happens, Molly BrodakMusic: Tender Defender, Vulfpeck;Theo Katzman, Vulf Records (2025)April 27, 2026
// April 27, 2026
That's emotional support rust.
Intro: Bad Bad News, Leon Bridges, Columbia (2018)Poem: And Isn't Everything at Risk, Gregory OrrMusic: Comfortably Numb, Scissor Sisters, Polydor Records (2004)April 24, 2026
These donuts aren't gonna eat themselves.
Intro: Come on Eileen, Save Ferris, Epic (1997)Poem: Late Fragment, Raymond CarverMusic: Groove Is in the Heart, Deee-Lite, Elektra Records (1990)April 23, 2026
Nothing says 'productivity' like people who won't take their right of way.
Intro: Come on Eileen, Save Ferris, Epic (1997)Poem: Te Deum, Charles ReznikoffMusic: Grace Kelly, MIKA, Casablanca Records/Island UK (2007)April 22, 2026
The merge lane is about momentum, not courtesy.
Intro: Come on Eileen, Save Ferris, Epic (1997)Poem: The Committee Weighs In, Andrea CohenMusic: Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat), Digable Planets, Pendulum Records (1993)April 21, 2026
Is this existential dread or just...Tuesday?
Intro: Come on Eileen, Save Ferris, Epic (1997)Poem: In Memoriam, Leo DangelMusic: Ooh La La, Goldfrapp, Mute, a BMG Company (2005)April 20, 2026
We're all just one poorly-timed intersection from being late.
Intro: Come on Eileen, Save Ferris, Epic (1997)Poem: Cabbage, Charles SimicMusic: Hollywood Swinging, Kool & The Gang, Island Mercury (1973)April 17, 2026
Get in, losers, we're getting donuts.
Intro: About Damn Time, Lizzo, Nice Life/Atlantic (2022)Poem: From time to time, Matsuo BashoMusic: Ice Cream, New Young Pony Club, Universal Music Australia Pty. Ltd. (2007)April 16, 2026
What's the deal with commuting, am I right?
Intro: About Damn Time, Lizzo, Nice Life/Atlantic (2022)Poem: A Prayer for Future Us, Harriet SolinasMusic: Sun of a Gun, Oh Land, Epic (2011)April 15, 2026
Day-old coffee is still coffee.
Intro: About Damn Time, Lizzo, Nice Life/Atlantic (2022)Poem: My Mother Asks How I'm Doing with Just Whiskey and Cats, Joyce SullivanMusic: Chains of Love, Erasure, Rhino/Warner Records (1988)April 14, 2026
The door's not child-locked, it just...won't open.
Intro: About Damn Time, Lizzo, Nice Life/Atlantic (2022)Poem: Love comes quietly, Robert CreeleyMusic: Bear with Me, Propaganda;Marz Ferrer, Fair Trade/Columbia (2017)April 13, 2026
Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts will take you past the QuikTrip.
Intro: About Damn Time, Lizzo, Nice Life/Atlantic (2022)Poem: Watching the last boat, Linda GreggMusic: Bend & Break, Keane, UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) (2004)April 10, 2026
Two dozen glazed and nobody to share them with. Just me and this exit ramp.
Intro: Funky Times 1.0, Funky Times, K-Mountain Productions (2021)Poem: To Kiss a Forehead Is to Erase Worry, Marina TsvetaevaMusic: Rock Steady - Radio Edit, The Whispers, UNIDISC MUSIC INC. (1987)April 9, 2026
Close your eyes. Now open them. That's the closest I get to ASMR while driving.
Intro: Funky Times 1.0, Funky Times, K-Mountain Productions (2021)Poem: Those Winter Sundays, Robert HaydenMusic: Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing, Incognito, UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) (1992)April 8, 2026
Bitter gas station coffee pairs well with exhaust.
Intro: Funky Times 1.0, Funky Times, K-Mountain Productions (2021)Poem: Road Warrior, Eileen MylesMusic: Don't Wait Too Long, Madeleine Peyroux, Rounder Records (2004)April 7, 2026
No housework day. I also subscribe to no roadwork day.
Intro: Funky Times 1.0, Funky Times, K-Mountain Productions (2021)Poem: Arrival, Michael LongleyMusic: Lady Day, Gil Scott-HeronApril 6, 2026
New week. Fresh start. Slightly stale Twinkie from the glove box.
Intro: Funky Times 1.0, Funky Times, K-Mountain Productions (2021)Poem: In California, Margaret LevineMusic: Yellow Daze, Jafunk;Triple H Horns;Adi Oasis, Luckie Star Records (2024)April 3, 2026
I took the chains off the donuts. Tires. I mean tires.
Intro: Happy Idiot, TV On The Radio, Harvest Records (2014)vPoem: Maple, Jane HirshfieldMusic: Gypsy, Fleetwood Mac, Warner Records (1988)April 2, 2026
If you don't fishtail at least once are you even commuting?
Intro: Happy Idiot, TV On The Radio, Harvest Records (2014)Poem: To Be Alive, Gregory OrrMusic: Smoke and Mirrors, PJ Morton, Morton Records / EMPIRE (2024)April 1, 2026
Birds sing; I croon.
Intro: Happy Idiot, TV On The Radio, Harvest Records (2014)Poem: Mrs. Darwin, Carol Ann DuffyMusic: Tieduprightnow, Parcels, Because Music (2018)March 27, 2026
I love when the traffic clears and everyone forgets how fast they were going.
Intro: Discopolis, Discoholic, Discoholic (2024)Poem: April, Sandra LimMusic: Keep That Coffee Hot, Scatman Crothers, Universal Digital Enterprises (1956)March 26. 2026
My GPS and I aren't on speaking terms.
Intro: Discopolis, Discoholic, Discoholic (2024)Poem: Tired, Langston HughesMusic: That's Love, Oddisee, Mello Music Group (2015)March 25, 2026
Is it zipper merge or button-fly merge?
Intro: Discopolis, Discoholic, Discoholic (2024)Poem: From 'Vita Nova', Louise GlückMusic: How Much Do You Love Me?, Vulfmon;Jacob Jeffries, Vulf Records (2022)March 24, 2026
We've been in this turn lane so long we're facing the wrong way.
Intro: Discopolis, Discoholic, Discoholic (2024)Poem: We shake with joy, Mary OliverMusic: Can't Steal My Heaven, Caleb Hawley, Storage Unit Records (2023)March 23, 2026
The light was yellow. I believe that with my heart.
Intro: Discopolis, Discoholic, Discoholic (2024)Poem: Concurrence, Denise LevertovMusic: Bulletproof, La Roux, Polydor Records (2009)March 20, 2026
C'mon, this box of donuts isn't gonna eat itself!
Intro: Take Your Mama, Scissor Sisters, Polydor Records (2004)Poem: Love Is Not All, Edna St. Vincent MillayMusic: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Wham!, Columbia (1984)March 19, 2026
Some days you drive the commute, and some days the commute drives you.
Intro: Take Your Mama, Scissor Sisters, Polydor Records (2004)Poem: I Am Panting, Anna SwirMusic: Tee Time, Vulfpeck, Vulf Records (2017)March 18, 2026
This morning's traffic jam brought to you by A 4-Way Stop That Should Be a Roundabout!
Intro: Take Your Mama, Scissor Sisters, Polydor Records (2004)Poem: You Ask Why I Make My Home in the Mountain Forest, Li PoMusic: Small Change, DON WEST, Mandatory Music (2024)March 17, 2026
Had trouble scraping this morning. You can be my right eye!
Intro: Take Your Mama, Scissor Sisters, Polydor Records (2004)Poem: Yes, That's When, Rosemerry Wahtola TrommerMusic: Survivor, Destiny's Child, Columbia (2001)March 16, 2026
Don't let the snow worry you. I learned how to drive in Iowa.
Intro: Take Your Mama, Scissor Sisters, Polydor Records (2004)Poem: As if from the End Times, John BurnsideMusic: Believe, Cher, Warner Records (1998)March 13, 2026
Birds! I hear birds this morning!
Intro: Run-Around, Blues Traveler, A&M (1994)Poem: The Jewel, James WrightMusic: Hey Mr. D.J., Zhané, Motown (1994)March 12, 2026
You know, I spilled a yogurt smoothie in here two days ago. Can't smell anything, can you?
Intro: Run-Around, Blues Traveler, A&M (1994)Poem: Rites of Passage, Audre LordeMusic: Alberto Balsalm, Will Van Horn, Crystal Beach (2018)March 11, 2026
Sometimes it's nice to drive in companionable silence.
Intro: Run-Around, Blues Traveler, A&M (1994)Poem: Ode to Friendship, Noor HindiMusic: To Be, Shubh Saran, Shubh Saran (2024)
