The lost coast

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