Arkadelphia

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