Wanting

Waiting, the shoulder, bottles, bags &
broken auto parts is
cold, steep; difficult to walk along
Wondering what
will happen.
What will happen next.
Hating to leave because
that's when he'll
come and find you,
not here.
"waste of time" staying, trying
to remember if he will recognize a
child at the side of the road.

Continuous, dull & Aching
the asphalt stretches; coming
like a conveyor belt.
and you stand. Pulling up socks,
feeling somewhat better; they are so
thin on the bottom; toenails will cut
through the cotton reinforced toe,
latter in the day.

Big trucks knock you back a step and pelt you with grit,
sticky-bitter-smokey taste of overworked brakes in the back of your throat;
clings to your hair;
penetrates your clothes for the first time so you'll never forget.
the first time.

This is the road. chosen young,
experience & knowledge. so it doesn't matter.
Streets, highways and the old
Pike used to be dreamed...
fast-food and gas; Pennsylvania Turnpike,
Ohio Toll Road
waiting; watchful, the cars slowly fill your eyes.
cars, slowly filling your eyes with
tears