Dusty Roads

Two-fifteen on an old receipt
County bypass, one mile
Dusty roads

Half-drunk coffee in the holder
Diner receipt above the glass
Two-fifteen, our first-date total
Faded blue behind the glass
I still slow beside that window
Though the booth has changed its red
GPS says, Use the bypass
I take our gravel road instead

Small town, one familiar sign
I call a circle making time

Dusty roads in the dashboard glow
Dusty roads
Diner receipt says where I used to go
I take every turn to leave you behind
Down these dusty roads, you're all I find

Your mama waved beside the mailbox
Said you're teaching near the coast
New last name and baby coming
I raised my coffee: Here's a toast
Turned the corner past her fence line
Let the good news hit me slow
Then that receipt brushed my forehead
Like the past still owned the road

Small town, one familiar sign
Tonight I choose a different line

Dusty roads in the dashboard glow
Dusty roads
Diner receipt says where I used to go
I take every turn to leave you behind
Down these dusty roads, you're all I find

Mile marker two-fifteen
New blacktop opened to the west
I pulled the paper from the visor
Laid it in the glovebox with the rest
A road can hold a memory
Without choosing where I go
I tapped Accept on the screen
And let the old turn pass below

Dusty roads in the morning glow
Dusty roads
Diner receipt knows where I used to go
Took the bypass; left that loop behind
Down these dusty roads, I changed what I find

Mile marker two-fifteen
Receipt in the glovebox
Old turn in the mirror
Dusty roads