The Promise


headin’ up
driving up
late at night

gonna get there about midnight
going back to the scene
going back to face old feelings head on

got a cold feeling on my right hip
driving through the rain

this time the trip marks celebration
last trip shrouded in sadness, completion

got a cold feeling on my right hip
kids sleeping in the back
wife screwing with the ipod
bitching because my music sucks

still the cold feeling on my right hip
only 2 hours away now
kids rustle in the back, fight a bit
fall back to sleep

my wife settle for some acoustic crap
that cold feeling on my right hip is getting a little warmer

30 minutes away now
kids are up and fighting in the back
wife getting edgy, now she is on to Jazz

I can’t see the road too well, contact lenses stuck to my lids
its late dark wet rainy miserable
the cool feeling on my right hip getting even warmer now

we pull up to the house, I bring in the bags
the kids are in tow bearing gifts and hugs
my wife enters with a weary smile

that cold feeling on my right hip is now warm

I pardon myself to the den, approach the cool grey granite box
dig into my right coat pocket
pull out a promise
pop it open take a long pull

warm but still refreshing
god I’ve been waiting for that

here is to you my old friend

your words are missed but your inspiration remains

I promised you I’d return to your den to have a beer with you

Bob............