He says what happens between us stays here,
he in burnished leather boots and his fancy car.
We ride straight desert highways with the top down,
his hand on my thigh; he’s wearing the biggest grin.
Me, soaking in tans, browns, sunbeats in big sky.
We stop for gas near the border. Senoritas smile,
shy under their long lashes. They know his name.
He tips his hat, smiles as gravel spits. I crack open
the tequila and take a sip. He cranks the radio to
Hank as we drive into blaze that fills the horizon.
Neon swirls from the chilled ink we glide through,
calling us to a tiny motel with attached cantina.
We dance fast; then slow, slow, slow; then we go
to the threadbare room with a rabbit ear teevee.
Cool night air feels so right on hot, hot, hot skin.
Sun beats through the window.I cover my head,
my thighs still wet, body one big throbbing bruise.
Arm slaps to find emptiness. I shower; get dressed.
Sipping fresh hot coffee in the cantina, the senorita
says he left at dawn. I eat an omelet waiting for the bus.
What happened between us stays here, in my head.
We’re still cruising straight desert highways, top down,
Hank on the radio, he with the biggest grin and me
still soaking in tans, browns, sunbeats in big sky.
Warmed, eyes closed, I smile from my death bed.
Carrie is today’s host of The Sunday Muse.
Tao Talk 
Bravo! I love this! Well done on it! 😍😎
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Carol anne, thank you and happy you like it 🙂
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Oopsy. Not the first and not the last, to be sure.
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🙂 ❤
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The last lines are heartbreaking. Beautiful poetry
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Sadje, thank you. Sometimes the experiences that hurt the most are the same ones who keep us going.
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Oh yes, that’s often the case.
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What a sad, sordid tale, beautifully told! Karma says he’ll OD alone in a seedy motel with a rusted cadillac parked at the door!
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Well, that was quite an experience! Love this line :Neon swirls from the chilled ink we glide through’.
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Marion, thank you 🙂
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It’s funny how the car appears to be moving, even though it looks completely knackered. 🤓
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She still sees it shiny and new in her mind 😦 We cling to memories that keep us from moving forward sometimes…
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Absolutely right.
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love this creative story … “better to have loved and lost than never loved at all” … we all need at least one hot steamy dreamy encounter!
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Thanks, Kate!
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Lisa, this reads like a novella! From beginning to end … I was all in. Great writing.
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Many thanks, Helen!
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Very cinematic, Lisa, nicely done!
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Thanks, Christian! I tried to make it adventurous.
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Sooo comfy, Lisa. I used to do this on my Vespa motorscooter when we lived on blog from the Rio Grande. Our older daughter is there now, except in Arizona, seeing the dentist as is her friend. I hope the guy she is with is nicer than your “He”. She lost her husband this spring from the COVID-19.
..
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Oh no, Jim, let me offer my condolences for the loss of your son in-law. I hope your daughter is safe on her road trip. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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Ha. This takes me back to 1972, and a very much younger and very naive me.
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🙂 Thanks, Sherry!
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Doesn’t get any better than Hank on the radio in the Nevada desert! Of course, not if you come to a bad end. Well, OK before that part, LOL!
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LOL 🙂
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This really captivated me Lisa! I did not expect that ending! It was a powerful twist that sadly has happened many a time to a lonely girl. Great writing!!
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Carrie, thank you very much.
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This was one of the stories–once you were in, you’re in for the entire ride. And the reverberations last.
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So glad you went along for the ride, Wyndolynne. Thank you!
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Nicely composed. Your story really pulled me in — right from the start (and the image is awesome).
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Thank you, Ron. The Sunday Muse always has evocative images to write poetry to. You should check it out sometime.
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Great story, so much to feel in this poem. Some memories get us through a life time.
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I do feel the heat here, and how it sears away doubts and fear just along enough to take that ride from which the only return is alone. Vivid and well-told.
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Thank you for your comment and insightful feedback, Hedgewitch.
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loved the narrative of this poem, the celebration of the single moments of life, which can never be repeated, claim them as we find them, live them in their limited time or face the regret of inaction. very well written my friend.
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Phillip, thank you. Just re-read it and smiled. Too true.
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