Michelle - Field Report

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