Buckle Your Belt

"Release the Parking brake
Push down the clutch
Shift to First"

I look from side to side
"STOP" I hear "Pay attention,
Follow directions, Don't think,
Just do as I say" That sums it up

I don't want to hurt anyone
And I see 3 cars and 2 kids
I can't deal with the fear

I want to scream and rant
To tell my father that we're different
That I can't take it
That I have no confidence
And that I'm not like him

"Idiot" he mutters
Maybe I am
But my stomach hurts
and I've got a headache
because he expects me to
know how to drive already…
15 minutes after getting into the driver's seat

I want to cry
So bad my eyes hurt
Only 39 hours and 45 minutes to go
I can't deal

"Put it into 1st"
I have, I did
But it's in reverse
Cause I've stopped wanting to drive
Absolutely content with taking the bus

"That's it, put on the parking brake,
get out of the car"
I do, I don't want to
Cause its like admitting defeat
And I know my dad's disappointed

"Didn't they teach you anything in Driver's Ed?"
Sure, Wear your seatbelt and hold on.

Friday Night Football

It's the drumbeats of fall that call out Marching Time.
It's the high shrill of piccolos crying the wind not to come.
It's 200 kids in white shirts making waves in the stands.
It's boys in uniforms running on the field.

It's bein' squashed between Super Ram Fans and the marching band.
It's singin' the school anthem louder than the cheerleaders.
It's gettin' you're team is gonna win but you stomp feet to time.
It's bein' able to name all the players but you shout "GO 42!"

It's knowin' the half-time show by heart, and screamin' your loudest because they hit it.
It's playin' "We are the Champions" on your stereo after the game.
It's pastin' stickers on your truck because you're proud of your school.
It's dancin' on the bleachers when you win and screaming when they make a touchdown.

It's chantin' "Defense" with a hundred other people.
It's screamin' "We Will Rock You" at the top of your lungs.
It's eatin' a hot dog in tinfoil.
It's sneakin' the color guard coffee at 3rd quarter.

It's wearin' blue on Fridays with your blue and gold socks.
It's sportin' streamers in your hair for homecoming.
It's 9 o'clock on a Friday night and you're at school.
It's a fall football game and you can't think of a better place to be.