the turnoff

a spider web of asphalt
crumbles off I 40
my lights on low
too much coffee too many Camels

I drive into the night
east and away
to forget that turnoff at Tucumcari
freeway exit, gas station, fill-up, pit stop

a twilight tour through a neighborhood
watching New Mexicans at dusk
a father playing catch
with a boy on a front lawn
a ball hitting a mitt, banter, smiles

what
I left behind