1. too much pull
you get me now?
he was a truck-driver

hands large, like deli
slabs of flesh…
when he rolled the wheel

it was like a merry-
go-round at the mercy
of oiled powerful steel

he sweated
profusely, and commonly
smelled of Camels

2. he was a fresh-
(with a smile like the
sky rained rose petals
into your palms)
-cheeked kid

eyes like…
you wouldn’t believe
which pavement puddles
reflecting the sky

boy’s on man’s hand
looked elfin you gonna
said man tell me what
you runnin from

boy’s lips on man’s
shoulder were warm
and chapped. said he
I love you said man
ain’t no answer.

3. too much push
now said man…
that’s it let the wheel
be your friend

a truck driver
and a teenage
runaway on the highway
to Sunny San F

allies for a journey
lovers for a week
beggars for hold
my cold hands in your

hands. take my pitch
dark and aching heart