Down the Road

He's driving down the road, away from her.
She's staying behind, in a new room.
At home alone, he turns the lights out one by one.
When dawn arrives, he walks across the snow.

She's staying behind, in a new room.
Twenty years ago becomes today.
When dawn arrives, he walks across the snow.
Old rock & roll, betrayals. All remembered.

Twenty years ago becomes today.
He shovels the driveway but stops before he's done.
Old rock & roll, betrayals. All remembered.
She forgets to comb her hair.

He shovels the driveway but stops before he's done.
There are puzzle and games for her to play.
She forgets to comb her hair.
He visits a neighbor whose name he never knew.

There are puzzles and games for her to play.
She doesn't know her husband anymore.
He visits a neighbor whose name he never knew.
She turns to touch the man in the wheelchair beside her.

She doesn't know her husband anymore.
He tells her they've been married forty years.
She turns to touch the man in the wheelchair beside her.
He says he loves her still, will never leave her.

He tells her they've been married forty years.
"Oh my, that is a shock," she says.
He says he loves her still, will never leave her.
She fusses over the wheelchair man, who doesn't speak.

"Oh my, that is a shock," she says again.
He thinks of the neighbor, whose name is Abigail.
She fusses over the wheelchair man, who doesn't speak.
In her new room, buttons become aliens, unknowable.

He thinks of his neighbor, whose name is Abigail.
At home alone, he turns the lights out one by one.
In her new room, buttons become aliens, unknowable.
He's driving down the road, away from her.

Comments

[Jill]

I can only sit and think now......you took me on a journey again, but all too real..made me kind of sad. You are so gifted a writer, Jane.....

[Jeff]

Beautifully done, Jane. Four lives distilled to the present moment with all the heartache of memories dying before their people do.

[Linda]

Oh Jane. Stunning.