I WALKED OFF TO LOOK FOR AMERICA

It's amusing, zipping along U.S. 17 on the short jaunt between Pollocksville and New Bern at just-dawn with a recording of Simon and Garfunkel's 1981 Concert in Central Park blaring on the stereo.

Music has always wielded the power to transport me into a realm of boundless possibilities. Neither a musician nor an actor, I'm suddenly the star of my own music video, and for once, the stars align my way and no becomes yes. For a few sublime moments, all that has been denied me seems well within reach, and it's a damned shame when I reach my destination and reality regains its jurisdiction.

Freewheeling and imagining the dream incarnate, I coast along and nod rhythmically as the two aging folk musicians exert their dominion to temporarily overthrow the oppressive nature of real life.

Counting the cars on the New Jersey turnpike/ They've all come to look for America.