Southbound-81

Watch the last hill of New York
Set on the horizon
All the trees that gave to the ground I was made on
Disappear in my rearview.

And I kiss it all goodbye
and I hold you all inside
as I set off toward my life.

I am not claiming I can fly.
But if I cut this rope and try
One day I could say that I
Dared to weather a life untethered
to the ground
to the ground.

The Main Street concrete
has soaked up all my stories.
As if pavement could wield a pen
it has written them on my mind.

You’re all ingrained in all the changes
I’ve sustained along the way;
in all the glory and the pain
that is now running through my veins.

I am not claiming I can fly.
But if I cut this rope and try
One day I could say that I
Dared to weather a life untethered
to the ground
to the ground.

Now I’m Southbound 81,
Left cheek to the sun.
I gave a rich goodbye to everyone.