Another one from the vaults

I see the set of her shoulders as she walks away
Ever even and soft, I knew them well
Her fingers run through raven hair
Shake loose those few odd things
There the sunshine of an autumn afternoon
Here the dead petal from an unsent rose

And so the door swings shut behind her
It's hollow sound a final farewell
Closing, it locks me away from her
But never her from me

Richmond before nightfall

Richmond before nightfall

It's a ritual, a game I play when I leave my girl's house in North Carolina
To win I have to make it to Richmond before night falls
The rest of the drive will be a breeze if I can just make it to Richmond by night fall
Driving up 95, cars drive together in herds
past cops who hide in tree lines like feline hunters
waiting to pounce on the weak of the herd

blue strobes piecre the air
please don't be coming for me officer
I left my baby two hundred miles back in north carolina
but everything will be ok if I can just get to Richmond by nightfall
big sigh as he blows past in persuit of larger prey

20 miles later, driving through richmond
I slip the same old time worn best of new order cd in
thinking of high school so many years ago
then of all the lovers I have had since
and all the things I should have done differantly with each
my eye lashes get wet when I think
of the tender moments shared then
and all the times I will love you forever was spoken

so please don't say this to me my love
I would much rather you say you will love me as long as you can
it is so much closer to the truth
forever is a platitude, more for ourselves than to anyone else

maybe you can come to my place next week
but I hope for both our sakes you make it to richmond by nightfall