Amarilla

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A couple young lovers from Amarillo
in a bright yellow Beetle she says is her baby
drove it all the way to this garage
into the sun all the way into the
blue white hot depths of forever

They pulled in in a cloud of hot stinking
metal smoke that brings tears to your eyes
and they don't have a nickle, a dime or a ride.

Only now we discover that those Texas plates
do not indicate that they've been north here
six months already, have jobs, a place ...
just not yet enough friends and network
to handle the daily deal

It had gotten so hot under that bonnet
that everything that could melt
melted to everything that couldn't

And yes, it's a sorry-assed, bone-headed refusal
to look under the hood until too late becomes
the ever present excruciating now that puts them
here ... in this place
what difference does that make?

Six months in new country is not long enough
to grow roots long enough to water whatever life
we need to lead in this God Bless America.

They're still young. They'll get it figured out.
Maybe tomorrow.
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© David L. White 2/24/12