The Crossing

Meg Hutchinson

Bridge just south of town

They've been working on it for years now

Just about finish up 'fore it occurs to anyone

They built that damn thing just about a foot off the ground

Way way higher than the road around

So if you happen down that highway, 'specially at night

Hit the bridge at fifty-five

Feel like you might just take flight

And every time the crossing comes as a surprise

See my flying



I've found quiet in this room

Down by where the trains run

I've learned to hear the rumble, long before it

comes

And the things I'm working on

Are invisible to everyone

Something 'bout an empty hip or the angle of the sun

Every time the crossing comes as a surprise

See me flying



Maybe these stitches in my throat

Have just about dissolved

Like the sad moan of the drunkard

walking home from the bar

I hear the thin song of the fire house

when they sound the alarm

I hear the church bells on Sunday... ringing out



Used to be a town of dirt and horses

Now it's all liquor and cars

There's still a whole lot of nothing

up between those stars

Take the dog out for a walk

On the Episcopal church lawn

My God we're still tryin' to find a way

To get ourselves beyond

And every time the crossing comes as a surprise

See me flying