Sometimes I call people

At midnight

I want to tell them about my day

How the mailman came in

Shaking, barely functioning,

He said he just needed one drink.

I couldn’t help

But think of his kids

But I can’t

Everyone is asleep

I want to share how

I was mocked

And it hurt

My image is no joke kid

Stop and think

My brain

Spurts out random thoughts

He said don’t ever let it

Get that bad

Do it for fun

Relax

Never ever, rely your life on it.

Tomorrow you’ll wake

See the picture

And listen attentively

Whiskey on your breath
          Tobacco on your lips
The crooked smile
When you say my name

Calloused fingers
       Lax posture
The crinkle in your eye
Can't help but sway your way

Stubble on your chin
         Scuffed up boots
Scar above your brow
Your stories I want to hear

Your hands
my waist
the room seems to fade away

And when I open my eyes
You are still across the bar
Maybe it'll happen
Just not tonight

But I still do too

I used to write about you

Used to

But I still do too

I sit the nights

At the train tracks

Waiting for one to take me

Away

To somewhere it rains

Where no one will see

Tears

Away

Forever

Enveloped in

Black Velvet

That played as your lips

Claimed mine

Away

Locked up

In a cold box

Where feelings no longer matter

And no one wants to claim the body

I used to write about you

Used to

But I still do too

He

He died

-Baby when you gonna let me take you out?

Seven bullets

-Baby you is fine

Two bullets to the head

-One day when you is old enough you gonna be my wife

Five bullets

-How ‘bout you let me slide ten cents cuz you love me

Three in the chest

-C’mon on girl stop playing with my emotions

He saw it coming

-Look at that ass girl

His eyes bulged in fear

-All I wanna do is make you happy

But it was too late

-Are you old enough now? I can’t be goin’ to prison

Eyes wide open

-One day baby girl, one day

On the grass