Between

Somewhere between the boy and the man
floating between one drink and drunk
we push the speed limits while we can
angling the curves in your truck.

Your hand rests between the gunlock and my shoulder
as we speed from the town of Mount Olive
I awake from this glorious dream, older
and unexpectedly in love.

We travel between late April and June
on that highway between 20 and death
I stumble, say "I need you" too soon.
You smile through a nervous laugh

Radio static between Madonna and salvation
rises as the fuel needle drops below E
I search the street for a gas station
and an arm that no longer surrounds me

The last mile rushes between silence and madness
while intentions sputter, then careen
among your lowest priorities, and sadness
drops me somewhere in between.

revised December 2008