Left, Right, Left

I have to get it up
One more time
Around the track
And back again

I saw her standing
Under a rainbow
Talking to a little girl
Who looked just like her.
She glanced my way
And smiled at me.

It didn't help.

I’m in hell
with another lap
to go.
I run like an Indian
or a buffalo
toward a swamp that isn't real.

I was a soldier
Young and strong
A long time ago.
I ran fast
In circles
Through the woods,
For a pack of cigarettes,
A six pack of beer,
A bottle of scotch,
Whatever.
It doesn't matter.
Never did or will.

I watched her walk
To her car with her
Little girl.
She looked my way again.
I turned my head.
She opened the car door.

I said to myself
Let's go.
Have to march up that hill.
Left
Right
Left
One more time.