| Oh Michelle, I’m coming down to see you
|
| Tonight is bruise-black swelling golden green
|
| I was in bed but I had the dream again
|
| Where I drive us off the cliff to the ravine
|
| And the car was Shelby blue
|
| Blue like the one in the photo of your father and you
|
| Blue like the label on the beer you always choose
|
| Blue like you and me Michelle
|
| Oh Michelle, I went looking for the river
|
| But I only made it to the railroad bed
|
| There were candles there and some days-ago cut flowers
|
| For the guy who had been knifed there by his friend
|
| And my eyes could not adjust to the flames against the leaves
|
| Someone was watching from nearby
|
| I heard a phone chime from shallow in the trees
|
| I had to come see you Michelle
|
| Oh Michelle, we are trafficking in wonder
|
| Worshiping the wounds upon your cheek
|
| Kiss me shy and I will love you like a lamprey
|
| In the cool cool water in the creek
|
| Tornadoes transform and leave us changed
|
| And everyone we know will break on us like waves
|
| Take your hands and cover up your eyes and your face
|
| Tell me what you see now Michelle
|
| Oh Michelle, first light might come too late
|
| Let’s outdrive the headlights and the stars
|
| And the roof held, but only til the rain fell;
|
| Now it’s leaking love inside my captain’s car
|
| I tossed my chevrons out the window on the way over here
|
| Uncle Sam can meet me by the treeline
|
| He and I and your husband we can work it out like men
|
| But we won’t end up eye to eye
|
| Oh Michelle, I can’t say the things that I’ve seen
|
| From the time that I was gone and then returned
|
| But I got five thousand bucks, a full tank of gas
|
| And a stars and stripes beach towel with a cigarette burn
|
| If we leave right now we’ll be there by morning
|
| There being anywhere but here
|
| We can make a new start; |
| we can make up new names
|
| I’ve already picked yours, Michelle |