Desert Decision

Slept last night under desert stars
uncounted beers in mountain bars
old truck parked well out of sight
a charming way to spend a night,

Luke-warm coffee from my Thermos jug
bright sun rising, the solar tug
face the East wearing just a smile
a truck speeds by, it'll be awhile,

Before I'm ready to hit the road
write my journal, erase the cold
night stars fade to morning blue
deciding what I should do,

A granola bar: desayuno
some more coffee, will have to do
until I find a breakfast dive
continue my dubious drive,

Down the road to a point once known
no GPS, no cell-phone
just a wrinkled aviation chart
your place marked with a heart,

Should be there late tonight
will you have on the light
will you smile, invite me in
ask me where I have been,

Will you tell me to get screwed
that showing up was very rude
I'll flip a coin and take a chance
stick my hands in my pants,

Start the truck, find first gear
check the oil, the rear view mirror
to the highway, asphalt abstraction
consider what is the attraction,

Your brain, your body, seductive smile
with each I could spend awhile
but like speed cars in different arcs
no shortage of road rash marks,

But what the hell, what the fuck
life: half planning, life: half luck
resilience is my middle name
no chance to win without playing the game ...