Road Home

Late Night (1996)

So a man drives around late at night
    avoiding all the streets that lead home.

He knows lights are still on
    that those who love him
    are gathered round the table
    talking, wondering what could have gone wrong.

They don't understand why it takes him
    so long to return form simple chores.

He doesn't understand why
    in spite of all the street signs,
    in spite of all the maps scattered on the seat,
    he would rather be lost.

Sometimes he even rolls down the windows
    and lets maps fly;
    he tosses out flashlights and matches
    and says to himself,
        Let's just see how fucked up things can get.

They know this is not the way things should be.
He knows this is not the way things should be.

But he hopes,
    searching black streets alone
    in the minutes closing on midnight
    with gas running out,
    he might find a second home
    with those who know where he's been.