across the bar in front of the stage
you were there
holding your beer and shot glass
freedom at your parent’s expense
you thought you had it all
when you were only playing the game
with not one shred of integrity

I was there once before
some twenty years earlier
I looked into your eyes and thought
I saw my own reflection
not sure what it meant
but I could read your friends
like yesterdays cheat sheets

wasted time and energy pretending
developing what you thought was your home
but she will leave you
with nothing but bills and alimony
just like me and my friends

it’s like I am on the side lines
watching life all over again
no reason or rhyme
just same old bullshit but with younger players
maybe it’s a sign or a clue
but tonight I just watched and sighed

has old age caught up with me?
or is this a second chance to see dreams come true
or am I reading an old dime store novel and just forgot the end
either way it’s a game
all played out before
and me, just filling a part to pass the time

a half lit cigarette dangles from my lip
some Beatle’s song plays in the back seat speakers
the light turns red
and…

04/23/2005

Posted on 04/24/2005
Copyright © 2024 Mark Maxey