View from the Passenger Seat

    
Looking at me    
bemused    
tired eyes crinkled, smiling    
it's clear you don't understand  
why I hitched this ride    
and never looked back    
   
Through every bump and curve    
every quick-brake    
head bouncing off the windshield    
burning rubber    
blowout tire    
van in the ditch collision    
   
(we survived more than one)    
   
I called shot gun    
claimed my seat    
and I stayed    
   
We laughed until we cried    
and cried until we laughed again    
hurt so much we didn't know where    
one began and the other might end    
   
there's no reason in pain    
   
or in love    
   
and I was (am)    
   
with your hands    
calloused and strong    
clutching the wheel    
driving through your valleys    
showing off sunsets from hilltops    
listening to beach birds    
sharing your stories    
while waves lapped the sand    
marking time    
   
In the aftermath    
struggling to breathe    
finding our feet    
hurling expletives    
hearts in hands    
"fuck you" meant more    
than three little words    
could contain    
   
I understood    
because this love    
is ugly-beautiful    
   
I'm riding shotgun    
till the end