The Letter

that letter sat quietly in my mailbox

with its news for nearly a week

when my eyes finally saw what it was

my knees trembled and my heart felt weak

I don't know how I could have missed it

an unmarked ramp on a lonely highway

without the courtisity of explanation

everything I'd known shifted sideways

any plans I thought that I was making

fell, like a shooting star, off the radar

my whole body began violently shaking

as I walked out and got in my car

I don't remember crossing the railroad tracks

but there was a garage sale sign, maybe two

somehow I knew there was no going back

no hope I could hope to undo

sitting there through a couple of green lights

I couldn't hear the cars honking at me

searching my thoughts for some kind of insight

I relined the back down on my seat

suddenly a stranger tapped my window

snapping me out of that haze

I'm sure that I looked like a psycho

with that lost look left there on my face

he didn't ask me any questions

yet somehow I still felt a connection

he tried giving some helpful suggestions

the letter offered what I could not mention

I thought I was standing in the kitchen

when I noticed the red flag on the box

I find myself in this awkward position

driving my car without socks

I remember holding that letter

but after that, it was like time simply stopped

now I am wrapped up in some stranger's sweater

being transported somewhere by the cops

seems everyone's seen those cursive secrets

that the mailman left for me to find

I guess I haven't quiet come to terms yet

why everyone around me is crying

I grabbed my phone and dialed your number

and then the truth hits like a runaway train

you were the subject in that letter

and like a shot of caffeine to my brain

this wave of knowing sweeps me over

and knocks the air out of my lungs

I gather what's left of my composure

stare in my lap, silently tapping my thumbs

I close my eyes and I'm gently transported

back to the kitchen again, early this morning

wishing that something this damn important

came with an appropriate warning