GOOD BAD IDEA

Good bad idea, let's see where it goes
One left turn where nobody knows
Might lose sleep, might find a life
Every now and then, choose a good bad idea

She said, “That bridge is closed at ten”
I said, “Then we got nine minutes left”
Old Jeep coughing at the railroad light
Two lawn chairs tied in the back too tight
Map said stop, but the moon said move
Found a dirt road bending through
Came to a field with a broken-down sign
“Private property” faded by time
We didn't cross it; we parked outside
Made our own dance floor by the county line
Radio weak, but the stars came clear
Best wrong turn that we made all year

Not every risk
Needs saving from
Some bad ideas
Know where joy comes from

Good bad idea, let's see where it goes
One left turn where nobody knows
Might lose sleep, might find a life
Every now and then, choose a good bad idea

Then the Jeep wouldn't start at two-oh-five
Phones both dead, no house in sight
She looked at me with that eyebrow high
Said, “Still feel clever?” I said, “Not quite”
We pushed that thing to the county road
Laughing and cussing beneath the load
Farmer named Walt came around the bend
Jumped the battery, wouldn't take a cent
He said, “Forty years back, right in this place,
I kissed my wife on our second date”
Bad ideas don't all end well
But the best ones give you a story to tell

Courage and foolishness
sometimes wear the same boots.
You learn which one it was
by who helps you push.

Good bad idea, now we know where it goes
Past one breakdown and a farmer named Walt
Lost some sleep, found friends for life
Every now and then, choose a good bad idea

There she is.