North to Nowhere

If you're running away, you have to go somewhere.

What is it about Star Lake?
Crusty old pond, soggy magic
  the color of moss
But somehow I love it anyway,
On this seven hour drive
  north to nowhere
  it’s good to finally stretch the legs.
Escape the winding Appalachian Trail
   only to hike the proud Adirondaks
   and all kinds of mysteries
Like this green diner in the dust
   boards on the windows
   but the sprawling neon claims “Open!”
Serving food in half-light
There, it’s easy to think;
Only someone running away would come up here
Only someone with something to hide
Because where I’m going there is no one but the lake
    a rusty blue cabin, stained glass windows
      and relics above the stairs
    a tired orange boat in the lazy brown water,
      motor tilted up for a nap
    trees, flowers, every bird known to nectar
    is all that waits.
Hidden above Onondaga Reservation
where the chalky sign says
“Welcome Murderers, Thieves, Rapists, Kidnappers…”
   no one turned away
   because no one is there to say no.
I’ll hide away and fit right in.

Author's Note

Another piece from my poetry class - the prompt was to write about our road trip to a specific place that we either loved or hated. Star Lake is probably my favorite place in the world, but somehow the poem turned out a bit darker than I ever intended. Critiques are appreciated.

ALSO - the Onondaga sign actually reads; "Onondaga Nation, where Traitors, Rapists, Murderers, and Non-Onondagas Rule, Protected by Wanna-Be Gov Eliot Spitzer, New York State Police, Onondaga Cty. Sheriff," although before 2006 it named a different politician. As of 2009, I believe the sign has been erased - it was a staple on my Star Lake drive for so long, I'm sad to see it gone, although it didn't send out the best message. I know my quote is not quite right but I was going from memory when I first wrote this and kind of like my paraphrase, but do you think I should replace it with the real quote?

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

"Escape the winding Appalachian Trail
only to hike the proud Adirondaks
and all kinds of mysteries."
A very nice write...:)

[Bare trees]

Your poem conjures up a scene of a pleasant place with green grass and summer sun. Quote is fine the way it is. Really good poem.

[Alex Zynder]

this depicts a clear image in my head, great descriptive writing

[Antonio Valentino]

Nicole, this is superb writing!
I so enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more of your work.

Have a nice evening!
Antonio