Poetry

New Roads Home

I like taking new routes home
especially
roads I’ve never taken before
on clear nights
Tonight the sky looks like
Crystals
Diamonds
Sparkling beyond the trees
And I’m driving home
From Kentucky
and a sign says, “Golden Bayou”
Who are they kidding?
it’s just a creepy swamp
And I’ve never felt 
an affinity for creepy swamps at night. 
But, tonight I’m going home a different way
It’s late and I’m tired
My eyes refuse to stay open
So, I’m listening to every song 
on my iPhone’s playlist
Every single one!
Who does that?
Large amounts of caffeine, Taylor Smith, 
and Three Dog Night
Or is it Swift?
I’m too tired to remember
And I promised not to look at my phone 
when I drive. 
Well, whatever her name is
She’s keeping me awake. 
For the moment anyway 
High energy rock
Loud
Must stay awake. 
This is farm country
The Mississippi Delta
Roads are straight, infinite lines
that disappear into the horizon. 
Please keep me awake a little longer 
My old rock song
Or new pop song – I don’t care which. 
Airplanes line up in the sky
Like little school children
Ready to go home
landing pattern swings them 
just a bit into Arkansas
Then a smooth touchdown in Memphis
Happy people disembark. 
The Delta’s full of rice fields
And I’m just a tiny speck
To the sleepy passengers above
or a grain of rice
To a hungry bird
Stars over Arkansas
My journey home is interrupted 
a second time tonight
By a passing train
How does this happen?
But at least the music is loud
The caffeine does it job
And the stars seem bright as day
And I can almost hear the voice
Of my sweet bride
Welcome me home again.

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