Michelle

Oh Michelle, I'm coming down to see you Tonight is bruise-black swelling golden green I was in bed but I had the dream again Where I drive us off the cliff to the ravine And the car was Shelby blue Blue like the one in the photo of your father and you Blue like the label on the beer you always choose Blue like you and me Michelle Oh Michelle, I went looking for the river But I only made it to the railroad bed There were candles there and some days-ago cut flowers For the guy who had been knifed there by his friend And my eyes could not adjust to the flames against the leaves Someone was watching from nearby I heard a phone chime from shallow in the trees I had to come see you Michelle Oh Michelle, we are trafficking in wonder, Worshiping the wounds upon your cheek Kiss me shy and I will love you like a lamprey In the cool cool water in the creek Tornadoes transform and leave us changed And everyone we know will break on us like waves Take your hands and cover up your eyes and your face Tell me what you see now Michelle Oh Michelle, first light might come too late Let's outdrive the headlights and the stars And the roof held, but only til the rain fell; Now it's leaking love inside my captain's car I tossed my chevrons out the window on the way over here Uncle Sam can meet me by the treeline He and I and your husband we can work it out like men But we won't end up eye to eye Oh Michelle, I can't say the things that I've seen From the time that I was gone and then returned But I got five thousand bucks, a full tank of gas, And a stars and stripes beach towel with a cigarette burn If we leave right now we'll be there by morning There being anywhere but here We can make a new start; we can make up new names I've already picked yours, Michelle.