By Marla McGinley
Date: 12 October 1998

Mississippi Here I Come

Once again there I go, windows down and music blaring
I am the blond competing with the voice of the wind
For I am on my way to see you and I sing, rather scream in celebration
I drive strange highways, stop in strange towns, hair up, crumpled work clothes
And as I count down the miles, one hundred, two, three… I light one more cigarette
This time I am not competing with the wind for we sing in harmony
Then as I carelessly toss my cigarette out the window I smile to myself
And I realize when you see me crumpled, stale and windblown I will still be beautiful to you
Finally as I near my last miles, my stomach jumps and runs
I put away the smokes, and pull out the comb, driving I fix what the wind has torn
Crying because I know that in merely minutes when you hold me in your arms…
I will be hit by the loneliness the last two weeks have denied


Marla