For my father. You'll always be with me.

The car dashboard
radiated a deep bass blue.
Buzzing all around
was the steady hum of sleep.

Except for me-
Except for him-
Our eyes awake and focused
on the moon cast highway.

Usually there would be music
or a sibling argument ready to burst-
But here, between us, there was only
the bouncing melody and harmony of our voices.

Tangled in my young eagerness
I told him my great plans for the future
and with every monologues end
he’d turn to me with a father’s proud grin-

And shine two glossy, sky-tinted eyes upon me.

Always looking to the stars for guidance
because for us, they were no longer just in reach,
but companions in this soothing night ride to a place
where all the attractions, all the gimmicks-

Could never give us this.