Ride the Brake

Out of college
Out of plans
In no hurry
To be a man
Call a friend
In California

And head West
Interstates
See the country
Ride the brake
In a cobalt
Honda Civic
With a faulty tape deck

In St. Louis
Summer heat
Sweating bullets
Pleather seats
Stop for cold beer
Conversation
She reminds you
You are young
Eager chicken
Not yet sprung
She reminds you
Of the reasons
For the big retreat