Thank You, Tom Petty

How quickly traffic lights change from green
To yellow to red. But it’s enough time for the
Commercial to end and your song to start, just
As I punch the gas and slide my beat up Civic
Into the turn.

Now I’m on a main drag, an artery running
Through this college town, with no more thought
In my head than nutrition in the pizza bags
Piled high on my passenger seat, leaking steam
And drizzling sour odors into the charred
Upholstery, forever trapped. My cigarette tray
Gives cause for thought, though – looking down
I see but a few meager dollars. Tips are bad tonight.

But no matter. Your song becomes a bell. Driving
Through the center, soon I feel like the sweet
Evening air rushing through my window
As I hit the accelerator to push through my coast and
Come up over the hill.

And there’s the heart of the town spread out before me,
Beneath a vast ember sky.
It’s wide open like my chest, my veins, my skin,
And though I was not born here, right now this is my town –
Me in my car that’s seen too many days delivering.

Reaching over to turn up the volume, I sing
Along to the words that I know and smile
As I settle in.