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Peace and Hope

A skeleton on the road
A Stuckey’s of the past
Pecan rolls and gasoline
A place to rest the kids
A shot glass and a flag decal
I stuck it in the back
Another cross on the road
Down in the ditch
Plastic flowers
Smell so dead

Both hands on the wheel
Eyes upon the road
There’s a deer with a rainbow nose
Crossing oh so near
Radio on an AM station
A ghost of the past
Down in Mississippi
The Tallahatchie River 
Dark and muddy
Floats the ghost

Ain’t no place to sleep
You’ll find death asunder
And a catfish for a friend
So heed my words
And dim your lights
And smile at the world
For otherwise you'll find yourself
Looking for a rope
To pull you from the current
Of despair and muddy waters

And give yourself peace and hope.

Copyright © Stephen Kilmer | Year Posted 2013

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Kathryn Collins Date: 8/5/2013 7:57:00 AM Stephen - This is so powerful. You wrap your points in the words of a poet true. How many times we stopped at Stuckeys driving from the Bronx to Florida. There was no worry for me those days and as a four year old, I didn't know; except from the looks of all when my brother and I sat in the back of the bus to ride over the wheels for more bounce, I felt so sad and ridiculous to me. Some days the differences will really go only skin deep - peace and hope indeed. love, Kathy Login to Reply Stephen Kilmer Date: 8/5/2013 8:45:00 AM Thanks Kathy. I loved Stuckeys as a kid. Really miss it. I am glad that you took the time to read this poem and thanks for the great compliment. Peace and love, Kilmer

Laura Breidenthal Date: 8/2/2013 9:30:00 PM Inspirational piece. Thanks for the advice. I wish you love, peace and comfort. Always, Laura Login to Reply Stephen Kilmer Date: 8/3/2013 2:00:00 AM thank you and you as well. That is all we can hope for in this world. Love kilmer

Karen Anglesey Date: 8/2/2013 10:50:00 AM Got my Kilmer fix this morning. Another imaginative piece layered with symbolic realism. I always wondered about "the cross in the road down in a ditch" . Really enjoyed your expression of roadtrips. I'll be looking for the rope of peace and hope in future travels. Nice :) Login to Reply Stephen Kilmer Date: 8/2/2013 1:16:00 PM Only such much Kilmer you can take in a day! Thanks for your wonderful comments. And as always for taking the time to read my work. Peace Out - Kilmer

Barbara Gorelick Date: 8/1/2013 5:11:00 PM wow, I like! The Stuckeys first caught my eye. then I realized this was about something much deeper...good work..BG Login to Reply Stephen Kilmer Date: 8/1/2013 5:15:00 PM Thanks Barbara I appreciate your kind words. I used to love Stuckeys as a kid. They just seemed to disappear along with the American dream... Kilmer