OldTroubador's blog post - I'm Tired

I may have mentioned, once before, that a lot of my ideas for what I write come from actual experiences that I have. The following is a case in point. This happened one evening, a few weeks ago as I was headed to a truck stop in the Dallas area. And while the basis of this poem was written about one particular night, about one particular lady, it is larger than that.
I have often said that each of you rides with me. And you do. Each of you helps me get through another mile, past another landmark, helps me get to the next truck stop. While I may not keep in touch with everyone as often as I should, I keep each of you close. So many have helped me in so many ways over the years, I cannot possibly begin to thank you all for all that you do. When I have nothing left in the tanks except pride, your spirit, your friendship, your love reach out and get me over that last hill, around that last bend, and up that last exit ramp.
This is a poem to thank a special lady for helping me one night, but in actuality, it is an ode to all of you, to say thank you - for riding with me, for getting me through, for allowing me to be a friend, and most importantly, for being a friend to me.
I wrote this line for a dear friend some time ago, but the truth rings out for each of you:
"And if my final sunset comes before the road brings me back to you, I shall not weep, for I have known heaven"

On to the main event:

I'm tired baby, too tired for this God-damned town.
Six hundred miles today on these broken roads.
Been following those dotted lines
From coast to coast,
east to west, south to north.
Long days, short nights
They're coming to an end, but it's still out of sight
I just have to make the next forty miles
Then I can set the brakes
Shut it down
Turn it off
But now I gotta hold it together
On these five narrow lanes filled
With people hurrying, scurrying
I'm still working but I have nothing left
To give.
Body bruised, spirit spent
I call you, ask you to just talk
About anything. Nothing. Just talk.
The road is unending, the lines continue
The longest twenty miles of my life
Each turn of the wheel brings me closer
Closer to the end of the day which
Is as long as the road.
As forever as time.
But you talk me down, you get me through
Ten more miles, then five
Finally,
You and I, we wheel into the stop
Me, the driver, you, riding shotgun
In my ear and in
My heart
Now I can set the brakes,
Shut it down,
Turn it off.

And as I lay my head down,
I say a prayer of thanks
For getting me through
And for an Angel like you.