Living Life on City Lights

I wrote this one a few years ago after returning from a meaningless and time-wasted journey.

teal chevy cavalier
vera knocks on the door
everybody knows the night has no troll
but the pain of laughter
a slice of jelly roll
and soda pop sundays gone bye
tell you nothing if not -
who to do the swing to

broken windows on the table
vera's stopped knocking now
the nightwatchman has no answer
and he is staring down the gutter
and he is shouting, "there is no other!"
and he is fighting with his own brother
but that didn't stop him from-
breaking down the dreams
of he who sleep in winks
and dares not to keep
his only mistique
his lack of intrigue
at the things you forgot to say

But alas! The golden candle!
Jump to and fro
Here there is solace!
Here he is told!
That in order to sleep you must promise
To sleep you must obey
To sleep you have to give up
Your loyalty and your dismay
Promise to forget this
The past you held so dear
Promise never to think about it
Though it all comes back so clear