Absecon Bay

You went on the road because you were lost
You thought traveling would be a useful metaphor
And you liked the idea of having a roadmap
Choosing destinations and plotting a course
And you wanted to stop at some roadside bar
Where someone lonely as you are buys you a drink
And while giving directions from Roseville to Marrowbone
Imparts pearls of wisdom and changes how you think

At first you felt powerful like you could tell the future
Look at your map and say "five hours to Pritchard"
Then five hours later, by god, there you were
Pritchard, Alabama, just like you pictured
But later on, just restlessness
Just rolling through little towns in the dark
Where strangers dream interwoven dreams
You passed through, left no mark

It was an accident scene; you swerved to the shoulder
Thinking someone might need help
But up close it was just too real and out of control
And you just couldn't find it in yourself
So when the sirens came, screaming angels of mercy
You pulled out and drove away
Thinking you probably still could make Jersey
In time for the sunrise on Absecon Bay

©2000 Annie Gallup