In college I had aspirations to be a day-trader.
She was an A student but a bad test taker.
We took a class together in microeconomics.
Teacher was a chinese lady, couldn't grasp the language.
I flunked the course but gained a lot of knowledge.

A few years later I was a glorified secretary with a fancy title.
She was a homemaker going to her daughter's dance recital.
I lost it one day couldnt take the monotony.
Bored at work I got in the car and just kept on driving.
I stopped trying to conform; instead only thought about surviving.

I took a job as a fry-cook at a bar by the bay.
Hung out with an old uncle and a few kids from back in the day.
Lived the life i always imagined i'd avoid,
got caught up in the same racket as Dr. Freud.
spent many restless nights smelling currency.

I met a bartender, little blonde girl named Shirley.
She was a young little thing; enjoyed givin' twirlies.
we liked to drink and laugh together after we were done work.
it was a small town with not a lot to do.
it was practically impossible for us to not screw.

Got caught up in sunsets and nightswimming in the ocean.
Lost all my ambitions, damn that #9 potion.
drinkin while everyone else was workin.
workin while everyone else was drinkin.
days became nights, nights days, a big mess, a fuckin haze.

Caught shirley with another man.
should've known all along she always had a plan.
just using me for my stacks and my powder,
i guess all along i was using her for her chowder.
i decided to ignore her and went on a binge.

came to a few weeks later in a cell in bucks county.
That cleared my head, cleaned me quick like bounty.
Made a promise and a plan
One day at a time.
A different life, a new life, I was still in my prime.

Got a new job in a new office with a new fancy title.
I even caught a glimpse of my daughter’s dance recital.
Afterwards though I slipped out the back door,
I didn’t want my daughter growing up knowin
That her perfect mommy, once upon a time, was a whore.

01/25/2008

Author's Note: rough draft.

Posted on 01/25/2008
Copyright © 2024 Frank Lee