Alone, Together

 

When we argue in the car

 

night air slips around our encased contention

the tunnel cuts the radio transmission

into a tune of electric chafe

 

the static

of silence

scratches

us.

 

the wheels spinning over concrete

ridges of each slab connection

beat a hard rhythm

~

~

~

 

I’ve heard these pulses before:

~ We stood in a stiff wind

that pushed like tides against our rock faces

~ I was hiking ahead of you, heavy clouds hid

and escaped in my exhales

~ Your running soles scraped a lopsided thrum

against mine in the shadows between streetlamps

 

Now I watch you watching the lines on the road

making their paths out of the dark

barely chasing ahead of our lights

 

Being alone, together, crackles between us.