your jersey girl

thin
and pale
your long hair
tight
beneath your cap.
a thumb
out on the grey
stretch
of highway
heading east.
you had a chance
in 72
of being
picked up
and taken to
the shore,
where things
would be better.
you had
gas money
to share.
you had ideas.
you were thin
and worn,
but happy to
be leaving
where you were
and going
to see her, your
jersey girl.