I lose my grip, I drive out far Past fireworks at the old trailer park And folding chairs, American flags Selling tomatoes at five bucks a bag When she was young, she kept to herself Now she regrets sending me straight to hell She kissed my cheek, she touched my skin She said: you're just as stupid as I was back then If I burn out like a light bulb They'll say: she wasn't meant for that life They'll put it all in a capsule And save it for a dark night When we were kids, free as the air With a violence craving to turn up somewhere A tap dancer, a memorized number An avalanche of the deep red clay earth When it got bad, Arkadelphia road I couldn't cry, I just pick up the load And feign a strength, try to force your hand But you leave a promise wherever it may land If you get real close to the ending I hope you know I did what I could We try to give it all meaning Glorify the grain of the wood Tell ourselves what's beautiful and good I hold on tight, come in from far I watch the baby run around the yard Get lonely for what I'll never know Losing the thread of a story, overtold If we luck out, free as the air With an unrest craving to spill everywhere We'll weigh what's good and get real old Keep driving straight searching for a heart of gold If we make pleasant conversation I hope you can't see what's burning in me To see a slip as a failure A balance I couldn't keep You count the rings for truth you'll never cheat