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