Empty Full
I, Jack Kerouac
fill up my tank
I go from empty to full
then that sweet rank on my hand turns the ignition
I roll down the window
I turn up the radio
Hand in wind
I think about taking the highway
skipping grocery store lines
nine to five time keeping
doing and undoing
dressing and coming undone
I make a right turn a right decision
I drive until I find somewhere safe to sleep
The sun sets on the road
endless pavements of opportunity
disappear and light up in the dark
North South
I, Jesus Christ
turn my head my eyes
let them slap me again
I have the mark on my face and footsteps all over my body
I think about taking the high road
Forgive my trespassers,
let them take my home
My heart, get drunk
on my forgiveness
the vultures sleep on the edge of my bed my mind -
open drawers the bedside table Bible
I take my pillow and sleep on the roof
I drink up stars I shrink and breathe smoke
disappearing and lighting up
I, like a bird on the roof
wait for my wings to come in
East West
I, Christopher Columbus
pack a small suitcase
take only the things I need and leave all the picture frames behind
I think about taking a chance
filling the pages of my passport with stamps
Of countries east and west
I take the rails and let them take me
as far the tracks go I go
I go where food is cooked in pots over a fire
where tigers sleep in tall grass where stars are always visible
In places safe to sleep
Airplanes fly overhead
Disappearing and lighting up in the night
like fireflies I grow wings and burn
