The Memory

I pull my collar up against the chilling wind The rain tries to sting me as I walk Rotting leaves and rain dance in my nose And a memory lodges itself in my head It was a dark night, storming and cold We were driving in the rain with the radio on In a strange town the car decided to die But we were able to park along the curb The shops all glowed warm in the darkness People hurried through the rain and cold Instead of panicking we sat in the car Smoking cigarettes and listening to Cat After two tapes your dad arrived The car was fixed and home we drove Nothing else that night stands out But the rain and cold, music and smoke Rattle around in my head and often rise So I walk along the crooked sidewalk With those smells whirling through the air We did not last, we were too young Of the memories we made together It is that night that stands out the most It seizes my mind as I walk along And with my head down against the weather I again let it play out as it often does When I encounter the same cold rain And I raise my eyes to see where my feet led me Your teenage home stands before me Dilapidated and broken down But memories scream from the cracks And I wonder where you are