Two From The Road

Elk City

Linda drives
says she wishes she
could have more kids.

Doctor talked her
into a hysterectomy
at twenty-one.

She stares at
the highway
running
flat out west.



Michelle

Capped front teeth
short brown hair
high hips
probably her
Dad’s.

Ten years old
Love her so
damn much.
Afraid I’ll run.

Don’t think I
should have
taken her and
her mother on

Her mother
talks about old
Tucson and
the circle they
used for
cowboy
chase scenes.

Rock and hills
flash in
the rearview
mirror.

Michelle jumps
around the
small space
between clothes
and window
in the
back seat.

I want to
hold her
little self
forever.