The Lost Coast - Grey Eye Glances

early November north of San Francisco 
driving fast to find you 
I feel familiar winds that usher in each evening heavy on the mountains 
rest clouds left there since morning 
you always said 
"there's just no other place" 
 
a sign nailed to a redwood signifies arrival "welcome to the Lost Coast" 
my mind begins to wonder 
it was here we lost each other 
shifting to a low gear 
as I start on down the mountain 
I know now 
those were the times of my life 
 
1989 was a dream in a dream 
we straddled the thin line between 
what it means or it seems to be 
sure enough we left the world behind 
it reminds me now 
how precious and how delicate 
 
the hairpins come more frequent 
each turn extending to the edge 
without a barrier 
I feel my stomach sinking 
whatever you've been thinking 
nine years all but vanished 
now it's nine miles to the ocean 
and shelter cove 
where we found a night 
 
and now I see that night 
as a dream in a dream 
the fire flickered calming light 
oh how perfect it seemed 
to be yours alone in such a distant place you faced me and you whispered 
"this is wonderful" 
 
later on at the lighthouse 
we were warned we should be careful 
by waves that shot above us 
we were told there was a hurricane 
that came ashore each evening 
 
I still carry the picture 
that I took while you were sleeping 
too hard to look 
just then I see it again 
 
the ocean through the clouds 
like a dream in a dream 
all the houses down in Shelter Cove 
how much smaller they seem 
was I really wise to improvise 
and return to this scene 
1989 just a dream in a dream 
I can only hope this Lost Coast can remember so I turn my car off 
I can almost feel you here