Memo to Kell

i’m here o lord
stretched under
the full moon
watching el paso’s lights

only i’m on
every new mexico mesa
the sand a cushion
for now
for the years
of crippled regrets

twinkling lights
transparent clouds
and nighthawks
don’t make me think whiskey
though i did
for too many years
and i wonder
how do you do it

push the can
keep the bottle
when i crashed
in onion field shacks
not knowing my name
or my game

hope you’re doing well
somewhere
toasting the night
thinking about
the next ride
heading out

Lawrence Welsh