The Ride~Buckle up

~ The Ride ~

hands loose on the wheel

I decide to let Jack drive tonight

seems he is much better than me

what I am cannot be printed here

nor do I want to say aloud

much of anything

so off we go

shouting into the night

without headlights

going to leave my troubles

my fears

my dreams

behind

for I have more battles going on inside

that I can withstand at this time

I have spent weeks trying to hold on

to what I think is right

but it seems not everything is

what it should be

Hey Jack must we go so slow

you drive like I move in life

and don’t tell me you use turn signals

so others know which way you’re going

and would you stop honking the horn

ain’t nobody home

you are so much like me Jack

you only come out at night

you take control of the mind

you mend broken hearts

if only for one night

must be why we are best friends

for you don’t tell anyone

well maybe you do

but you like me

don’t tell all the hidden pain

damn you listen so well

I just ramble on

lift you up to my lips take a sip

sit you down and you just grin

knowing I have more to say

how easy this all seems

but truth be known

Jack don’t really give a shit

for he doesn’t have a heart

a dream a past a future

or know anything about love

except what I share with him

good thing he can’t talk

well maybe he does

could it be I am his interpreter

or is he mine

sliding we go into turn one

feeling the grip of love start to let loose

pushing down hard on the pedal

to try to correct the pain

not wanting to hit the brakes

instead staring at the wall

Jack laughs very loud

says at least it would be over fast

we clear the first turn at last

picking up speed as we head for turn two

lunatic thoughts crash upon my brain

Jack asks you feeling ok

I look at him with a tear in my eye

I say hell no

I think I may be scared

but go faster I scream

no need to waste this fantasy

so we finally clear turn two

with too many tears now to hide

going down the back stretch I decide

to take Jack into my hand

lift him up once more to my mouth

this time taking a big gulp

wanting to kill myself inside

for no matter how much or how often

I say to myself all is well

I am just a step away from hell

suddenly turn three appears

looking just like love

dressed in simplicity

not only do I have spirits in me

but my spirit is lifted unbelievably

to a height not reached in years

and still tears flow

where is the end

where is the checkered flag

the one that signals you finally won

the flag that bares witness to

all your pain and releases you

rudely Jack breaks into my thoughts

acting just like me once more

a hypochondriac

says to me you fool

why do you continue to believe

in the impossible dream

I scream

you asshole it’s all I have

I grab the wheel

my heart pounding like a raging storm

full force

I show no fear now

diving into turn three

I feel love touch me on my shoulder

and whisper into my ear

I am always with you dear

I smile between tears

quickly clearing the turn

heading for the last one

turn four

where hopes vanish into the wreckage

caused by uncertainty

and too busy wiping tears

to pay attention to much of anything

how the heart screeches and groans

trying to find traction with love

as the yearning begins to take control

then Jack says you need some more of me

if you want to finish this race

I look at him in disbelief

does he really think I can’t face

reality

then I think to myself

he may be right

where’s the flag where’s the glory

the finish line of life of love

has someone removed it from my sight

in an attempt to keep me quiet

I’ll never be silent

not as long as this heart beats

I cannot remember when this was written

Jack Daniels co-wrote this

It was back in my straight whiskey days