Lost along the highway that stretches toward the coast,
She stood in the twilight as big rigs sped passing. Her dress
Clung like a label on her narrow shapely frame
Kicked to the curb like something for recycling.
The highway narrowed quickly as the city slipped behind
It was an ever-shrinking skyline of non-forgiveness
And the silence of the open road expanded with the night
Far fewer travelers rolled as the rain came down to witness.
She waved toward each passing car, waved her home good-bye
Waved off thoughts of how she planned to die
Waved at the shadows of the men who made her cry
And she walked along and thought the rain was laughing.
In the spilling glow of high beams a trucker caught a glimpse
Of her youthful face and form hunched and sloshing.
In a moment fraught with pity and perhaps a touch of sin
He slowed his rig and prepared to make an offering.
Hissing as it halted, wheels locking as it stopped
The massive door opened as she ran to grab it.
“Need a ride girl?” he said, and then sadly
“You look like you been drowned”
She pulled her hair back and climbed up without answering..
She peeled off her clinging dress beneath the blanket he had pulled
out from his sleeper behind the curtain.
Said, “thanks for stopping” and “you know I’m not crazy”.
He didn’t say a word but drove uncertain from the dawn
Wondering as he tired what might or might not happen.
He barely heard her chattering as the miles began to dry
But noticed quickly when sleep had finally claimed her.
With no thought about tomorrow he gazed her glowing face
Soon dreaming that he was younger and her lover.