the most fun to be had was in close calls,
even funner if it meant running–

running after that train easing away toward California,
arms chugging with bags of beer and cigarettes and candy bars
grabbed from a dusty store near the way station
somewhere in the middle of nowhere–

in stretching time out
to squeeze adventure in,

and in laughing with old friends
at the retelling
over music
and a spirit on ice in hand