North Dakota

this is the best thing ive ever written. also, ive never been to ND.

~Three Affiliated Tribes~

Driving to North Dakota is like lighting your
Arm on fire: at first it looks kind of cool,
But you just end up screaming in agony.
Lighting your arm on fire is not an experiment
I suggest, but since you must, make the most
Of it. Driving to North Dakota, I hid behind
The melting wheel, slouched, blasting that one band
With the windows up so the one car I passed
Between Missouri and Nebraska could only
Hear the bass line, a soft testimony to my
Presence, chair back as far as it goes, bobbing
My head invisible to the climax chord of that

One song. Arriving in North Dakota is like
Lighting a long candle and standing, silent,
Waiting for the wax to burn you. Arriving in
North Dakota I found I could lean forward,
Sit up, roll down the window and breathe
Trees, tilting my grip forward on the wheel so
The wax pooled harmlessly on the speedometer.

Staying in North Dakota is much like coming
Home to a lit fire and a rousing game of
"What's your inner Southern accent?" Staying in
North Dakota I slept miles above the floor, and
The house smelled like cumin and cinnamon,
Just crazy enough to work, to put me to
Sleep under too many feathers. Perfect
Timing for another nap after lunch. (Staying
In North Dakota is like finally striking a match
In the Yukon and making it without stranding
Your dog.) Three coats and a nightcap later, I
Was back on the floor, feet bare, curling my
Toes around the edge of a step, curling my
Fingers into my back. I felt smoke as
The match singed me briefly before going

Out. Leaving North Dakota is like driving into
A forest fire, collarbones aching to turn back
And feeling the first unwelcome heat. Leaving
North Dakota I broke the sound barrier in a
Midsize '98 something-or-other, taking
On the end full throttle with nothing to lose
But too many feathers. The one car I passed
Between Nebraska and Missouri saw me,
Chair forward as far as it goes, flying from
Three coats and a nightcap, sure to get as
Far and as fast as I could from North
Dakota before I changed my mind, sure
To go back to short sleeves immediately,
Sure to keep driving until the burning forest
Was gone.