Empty to Full

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