my lover comes from a town where
every image triggers the memory
of a memory : everything is new and
overgrown, even the trees. but it feels
as if he has been here forever.

the sky floats in my rearview
as a reflection against an old,
white dodge neon, sun settling
into the hollow hole in my
stomach
like
melted peach frozen yogurt.

last bit of sunlight sleeping somewhere
in my skin, i put my brights on halfway
down the highway, smiling into the
shadow of today (the shadow of him),
i can't help but love the way
his eyes smile before i
leave.

i roll my windows
all the way down
so it will feel like
i am flying
all over.

stop light red moon
i follow
where the sun sits
home into the
night

slow driving
i have time to think
take pictures of tree
-lines so i won't
disappear

our words trail across
the sky as airplane exhaust
fade before i blink
i still feel them
in my skin

i feel him waiting in
every forest
every second
every foot more of pavement
until i am home

and he is smiling as i drive away
**** any god, i pray he follows