Straight into a Storm

Hey Eddie, let’s go to the beach
We’ll catch a few waves before dark
But we’ve got work in the morning
Grass to cut in the lots and parks

Yeah, there’s these dark clouds coming in
We’ll walk out on the rock jetty
I know, but I’ve got this girlfriend
She needs me and she’s so pretty

Seawater up to the boardwalk
Black sky as far as we can see
Yeah, I don’t want to die tonight
Let’s just stay home and watch TV

Something’s gone wrong
I feel it every night
Don’t know what it is; we’re heading
Straight into a storm

Hey Eddie, we need the thrill
Let’s bike it down to Seaside
I would, but it’s starting to rain
And there’s no place for us to hide

OK, there is nothing to fear
We’ve done this many times before
Today the clouds look really black
I see lightning bolts off the shore

Big waves crashing on the inlet
We’ll get drenched in the summer haze
OK, but I’m scared for my life
Mom said to avoid teenage craze

Something’s really wrong
I’m reading every night
Figure out what it is; we’re heading
Straight into a storm

Hey Eddie, you hear ‘bout Nixon?
Wow, forced to resign in disgrace 
Well, I’ve got class in the morning
Got to do homework, stay on pace

The CIA fled Vietnam
Left Saigon rooftops in panic
Right, there’s no more draft anyway
Let’s keep from becoming manic

And now Carter’s facing troubles
Military force will be used
Got kids at home and guess what?
Wife and in-laws are not enthused

More than something’s wrong
It’s all clear to me tonight
I know what it is; got to go
Straight into a storm

April 14, 2014
The experience of growing up in the Jersey shore in the 1970s gave me and my friends more than one near death experience with powerful, dark summer thunderstorms hitting the beach. However, we were fearless and, combined with the turbulent backdrop of those times, this prepared us the difficult times ahead.