long train

these walls mark where I’ve been,

lampposts of knock-me-down bluenotes,

clotheslines of muted radios.

these hearts turn to look away,

from campfire ranches to decayed cities,

void of colors, values,

juices from vacant branches,

train to long train.

always yes to freedom!

and to highways kicking out perimeters!

yes to groundballs and linedrives and scorched poker cards

dealt to chainsmoking Louies,

unmasked by interiors!

outside this town

the homeless sounds,

discarded voices drenched by spirits and sweet stars,

cursed by hip pirates

dumped in azurite malachite backyards.

but here beyond us,

these walls tell me where I’ve been.

back. unpacked.

train to long train.

Bisbee, 1979