Needed freedom from the drag of days Had to find my road again Didn’t leave a note, didn’t slam a door Just kicked the stand and let the motor run The rhythm calmed my breath White lines started speaking low Every exit was a choice I didn’t take And the wind just told me: “GO” No map, no plan – just ride Highway magic’s all I need – Gasoline and grace Morning dew rose off the blacktop Crows fought on roadkill in the ditch Passed a diner with one pump leaning And a man asleep by the ice machine Didn’t stop Didn’t need gas or conversation Just the hum beneath me And the map unrolling through the frame A freight train ran beside me, chased my shadow I matched its pace across the plains A roaring beast of metal bones It kept me company for some miles Heat waves shimmered on the burning tar Noon sun scorched my thoughts away The wind was dry, the sky wide open And time ceased to exist No map, no plan – just ride Highway magic’s all I need – Gasoline and grace Sunset peeled the sky in streaks of rust Long shadows spilled across the dash Lights came on in tiny towns But none were mine, so I drove past My hands still steady on the bars As the road leaned in like an old embrace I was a long way from home And fine with no arrival Finally pulled off where the pines stood tall Moonlight shined on my worn-out boots A firepit’s smoke curled in the dark And strangers waved from folding stools We shared some coffee, shared some tales “Highway magic brought you here” They said And for a while, I just sat still And in that firelit hush, I found my road again No map, no plan – just ride Highway magic’s all I need – Gasoline and grace
