1978, Smiling Politely

1978, a poem born in New York state
A hire car, the license plate read FL502
Destinations muddled in a constant petty struggle
If I stop to fill the tank then that's the last I'll see of you

Cause you're no good at reading maps
And I'm so bad at keeping time
I'm sure that every night will be our last
A downfall we designed
I'll keep one foot on the gas
So say goodnight

Audre, can't you see? This lousy luck is killing me
I'm scared as fuck that this might be
A one way journey South
Is this the best that we could manage
'Cause there's barely surface damage
It's a massive disadvantage to live in the master's house

Cause you're no good at reading maps
And I'm so bad at keeping time
I'm sure that every night could be our last
A downfall we designed
I'll keep one foot on the gas
So say goodnight
I'll keep one foot on the gas so say goodnight

For fourteen years my body betrayed me
The one I cannot live without must live on without me
Unread books on dusty shelves tell a story of their own
I know in time we all find peace of mind
When optionless we do what we must do
But that was barely good enough and you
You stole my heart and then you stole my tools
You stole my tools, you stole my tools

Oh Audre