Road Trip

The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready. - Thoreau

You bring the jam and I'll take the bread.

Doesn't matter what mama said.

All our troubles will be forgot.

As we tie up chance with a sailor's knot.

We'll be blessed with dominion in Eden's flower.

Losing mortality's minutes, finding eternity's hour.

You'll let down your hair and I'll wear my leather.

Flying on faith's ferrying wings together.

Simpatico, like birds of a feather.

Leaving a trail of hope for others to follow.

Tailgating truth and exiting sorrow.

You can sing and I'll play guitar.

Love will guide us both near and far.

You tote the moon and I'll carry a star.

We'll ride to Heaven ...

... in a beat-up, old, Cadillac car ...

Author's Note

"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." - Thoreau

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

Pete, though I graduated from high school in 1986, I was never a fan of 1980s music. However, I’ve always loved The Cars’ Drive and the video. It’s a good pairing with this poem.

What I imagine here is a man rehearsing this invitation to his loved lady, maybe driving alone in that Cadillac, dreaming about her saying yes (not “you’re crazy”).

This poem captures not only a youthful spirit, but something uniquely American about the open road, an old Cadillac, and taking off with the love of our life.

One of your best, I’d say. Love the photo, too!

[Pete]

thanks so much for sharing your free-spirited thoughts r.e.! - you're certainly on the right track ... :)

[Patricia Wedel]

Pete... we have lived our life as in your poem...
and now as twilight begins to draw a Curtain...
we still continue our Journey with an optimistic
view of life and poetry... Love the excerpts from
Henry David Thoreau. dearly, Pat

[Pete]

good for you. just go and don't look back - it does a soul no good. as you know, it's about the journey and not the destination - especially with the one we love no matter ... :)

[DIVYA]

'Losing mortality's minutes, finding eternity's hour.' ~ This is so cool
...and I also loved, "You tote the moon and I'll carry a star' ~ so endearing...

An energetic and unique poem on partnership in romance and its good times...I love the message too...throw caution to the winds if you want to really enjoy love's ride...

Beautifully written!

[Pete]

thank you for coming along on the ride divya. your thoughts are right on the mark and well appreciated ... :)

[DIVYA]

You’re welcome Pete :) it was a pleasure.

[Lydia Shutter]

Makes me think of the 60's and my younger years. Free to travel with the one you love...free to let your hair down and just drive. Not necessarily with any destination in mind. Loved the rhyming in this one and the graphic you chose to accompany your words is perfect. Great work. Lydi**

[Pete]

thanks Lydi - you sound nostalgic. wishing you nothing but open road and blessings for the coming year ... :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh yes, this time of year I am definitely nostalgic!

[John the Baptist]

I really appreciate an upbeat relationship poem, probably because of all the you done me wrong, you dirty SOB offerings that appear here. "Leaving a trail of hope for others to follow." I don't know how many actually will, though. Too many people get off on drama.

[Pete]

often times the simplest things in life are the best. just getting in and rolling down the window can be all that it takes. being with the ones we love is enough. thanks j. the b. ... :)

[Laura Kate]

I love your ability to create such lovely, free-flowing rhythms.
'Tailgating truth whilst forsaking sorrow.'

I have the feeling that the protagonist has followed something through to the very depths, only to be able to say that they are ready to walk away, and not only will they walk they will fly, and never even think about looking back. Such a light and uplifting poem.
Laura.

[Pete]

you've gleaned quite a bit - even more than i realize that i had hidden between the lines. thank you Laura for such an insightful review ... :)

[Laura Kate]

My pleasure :)

[barleygirl]

This is one of your best! I love how you've simplified (your sometimes tangled writing style) a little bit here, for the sake of depicting a bare-bones simplistic jaunt. I love how you convey a sense of playful abandon & invitation. I love how your classic imagery serves as symbols for my ongoing fantasy/dream -- a return to civility & honor & respect -- traveling this road in harmony (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

i do have a tendency to cast too wide a net. this one very focused as you point out. sometimes simple and straightforward is the recipe - windows down & seatbelts optional of course ... :)

[barleygirl]

It would be a snooze fest if you abandoned your multi-layered convoluted masterpieces, so don't get too carried away with "simple" . . .

[Pete]

lol maybe i could start smoking some california weed to enhance my pieces ... :)

[barleygirl]

After 30 yrs of technical writing (linear, logical, literal), I find being high helps me tangle up my writing with mystery & nuance . . .

[Pete]

if you think writing about it was bad, try program it - surprised my elevator still goes all the way to the top ... :)

[barleygirl]

I did NOT know you are/were a programmer. That explains a HELLUVA lot about your writing! *wink! wink!*

[Pete]

curious - how does that explain my writing? ... :)

[barleygirl]

Especially in the poems of yours that are long & filled with a million snappy "lines" (sometimes throwbacks, sometimes well-crafted wordplay) . . . it looks as if you must've pretty well had a framework of how the whole thing was going to play out, becuz a whimsical writer could not hold together that level of organization in his/her mind while also coming up with non-stop wordplay. Only a mind that could nail down a web-like level of intricacy could come up with some of your more convoluted riffs (which I love, don't get me wrong!)

[Pete]

lol. interesting - never would've imagined. a case of still waters running deep i guess ... :)

[emmajoy]

' Simpatico, like birds of a feather... '

I like this.. more than like! Have re-discovered the word 'charm' recently. And so pleased i have because your adventure is gentle, affectionate and full of CHARM. Whilst it has a touch of raw adventuring, i's not rough and ready, it's not hard and full of whatever.. it's a plan you intend to carry out with the bravado of a man in deep admiration - if nothing else.

You phrase so well, Pete.. meter so fine.. plus the song.. a new one for me, i think.. good addition. Thanks for a great read on first December. :)

[Pete]

who doesn't like a car ride (except in heavy traffic of course). life is a journey so what better way to travel than to buckle-up in style with those we love and being there for them. is not about the destination but rather how we get there. - able to lay down great memories as we look in the rearview mirror. thank you em. may your tank always be full ... :)

[emmajoy]

How true your words.. Life is an adventure, every day different, every experience magical. Making memories too, nobody but you creating or experiencing them as they are.. not even the person you've shared with. My tank has to be full, live from a local garage which has closing hours!!!