alexa play john prine

i guess i should have guessed
how the light would catch your eyes
& how quick how strong
the fever would set in
seatbelts off in this reckless wreck
burned alive in the chill wind
off the lake where you wrapped me up
& the room where you slapped me up
& how i would feel so trapped
at the loud ringing distance
don’t get me wrong i’ve walked further
but tonight there’s glass in my feet
& i can’t stop shaking baby i
can’t tell you how sorry i am

we have all kinds of reasons for choosing
numbness or joy or pain
dashing helter skelter into rough waters
but in an emergency it’s easier
to forget this trait is shared
& written into our dna
it is easier to hide out of shame
to pretend you’re the only one
who wanted to bodysurf at high tide
i got no way to predict or explain

place your palm against my cheek
you may choose
the delicacy of its landing