almost straight ahead

for a day i drove straight ahead.
no slight turn, or dip in the road.
the grandness of the land ballooned in my head,
gently drifting through the golden waves of the Iowa fields,
never before more at ease.
the sun was burning out, when i was startled by an intersection.
no traffic going either way.
only me, confused.
relieved.
to the left, a topless bar.
on the right, a motel.
i doubted my ability to keep the car straight for much longer,
so i pulled right in, to a graveled parking area with no designated spaces.
the red neon was still faithfully lit, but the place looked closed.
it was worth a stop anyway, if only to stretch my road-worn legs in the dust.

the heat was still pressing in the dark, as i dragged my feet towards the office, accompanied by the soothing sounds of crickets.
there i knocked at the screen-door, and rumbling sounds emerged from inside.
a tall midwestern beauty opened the door.
curly dark red hair (not her real colour), and the most beautiful tits i ever saw.
snake-skin cowboy boots up to her knees
what can i do you for sweetheart? she asked with a lipstick-smeared cigarette in her mouth.
just looking for a place to rest my head.
the head needs rest does it?
she was high on some drug i really needed.
got any money on you sweetheart? she wanted to know, blowing that sweet tobacco smell in my face.
what's the damage?
she nodded to a sign that had $35 written on it with magic marker.
i pulled out my wallet, and she gently put her hand on it,
as to cover it.
there are other ways you can pay, she winked at me with fake eyelashes.
i gave her the 35 dollars - not without hesitation.
where'ya from anyway, stud?
Oslo, Norway, i told her, and her face lit up.
wow, that's in England isn't it?
yes i said
it sure is!

i spent that whole night regretting not fucking her.
and i never went to that topless bar.
in the morning, i dropped my key in the box and took off.
i tried to ignore her in my rearview-mirror. standing in that doorway,
smoking her cigarettes.
slowly lifting her arm in a sad goodbye.
but i was back on the road.
not a turn, not a dip.
still going,
almost straight ahead,
with some regret.