1978, Smiling Politely

1978, a poem born in New York state

A hire car, the license plate read FL502

Destinations muddled in a constant petty struggle

If I stop to fill the tank then that's the last I'll see of you



Cause you're no good at reading maps

And I'm so bad at keeping time

I'm sure that every night will be our last

A downfall we designed

I'll keep one foot on the gas

So say goodnight



Audre, can't you see? This lousy luck is killing me

I'm scared as fuck that this might be

A one way journey South

Is this the best that we could manage

'Cause there's barely surface damage

It's a massive disadvantage to live in the master's house



Cause you're no good at reading maps

And I'm so bad at keeping time

I'm sure that every night could be our last

A downfall we designed

I'll keep one foot on the gas

So say goodnight

I'll keep one foot on the gas so say goodnight



For fourteen years my body betrayed me

The one I cannot live without must live on without me

Unread books on dusty shelves tell a story of their own

I know in time we all find peace of mind

When optionless we do what we must do

But that was barely good enough and you

You stole my heart and then you stole my tools

You stole my tools, you stole my tools



Oh Audre