Stranded By Malls (Raised On Video Games)

A music video

flashes

on the T.V.

in her

dark apartment

as neighbors

pound on

walls.

I set

my arm

around her

shoulder

and pull her

close.

The phone rings;

we don't

pick up.

The music

blasts

on and

on.

I feel like

I could

sink into

this ratty old

couch

and stay there

forever.

Suddenly,

the police

knock on

the door.

Who has

time 

to answer

doors?

I take a deep

sip of

beer

and run my

palm

against her

untamed

blonde hair. 

Been Dirt

Sitting

on a porch,

quiet midnight

in Florida.

She pours 

vodka

into a glass

of Coke;

stars shimmer

like

lost diamonds

in the

midnight sky.

I hear

the sound of

her voice,

the sound of

her dreams.

I press

a plastic cup

to my lips

and take

a swig.

We have

nothing

and 

we want it all.

Her voice sings,

soft and

steady,

and on

and on.

I light

a cheap cigarette

and let

the night 

fall

all over me.