Everything starts out by shaking hands
with this man who stands at the end
of the road trying and failing over and over again
to get the sweat out of his eyes.

I don’t stick around to listen to him
beating himself up over an honest mistake. Way back
when I was a great listener and a good friend
to people who could keep a straight face right up
until the bus left. Those days are long gone but just familiar enough
to be more trouble than imagining what they could be really worth.

At the very least I can promise
to go fifteen minutes without letting you down
after we’ve met for the first time in public. After that
I’m going to light a cigarette, take two funny jokes
three miles too far and probably get drunk off the flask
in your little brother’s brand-new jacket.

Under no circumstances
will I have the sense
to be on my way. It’ll be even worse if I fall in love.
The girl will stare at the floor, laugh when no one’s paying attention
and try to ignore as many of my phone calls as possible.

Everything starts out by shaking his hand
and not staying long enough to hear about
how he’s been working at that stupid road for a thousand years.

I’m just stuck on my battered feet
through a series of bad decisions in finding someone
to handle the driving. I don’t have a lot of time to meet people
who screwed up even worse than I did. What in the wild blue
hell would I say to them?

I don’t think I’d be able to do more buy them a beer
and mutter something I read about love being enough
if you’re willing to smile at speeds usually reserved
for a handcart to hell with a mind of its own.

Is that enough? Are people finally willing
to settle for less?

If that’s the case
then have I got a story for you.

Everything starts out by moving on to marvel
at how many elaborate buildings are along
this road. I don’t consider intentions. I just hope
to have a thousand good words to write down
by the end of the year.

11/18/2010

Posted on 11/18/2010
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