there was an army in your backyard
they were playing with toy tanks and singing about the last time
they chased someone down an alley in San Francisco
everyone knew your name
everyone could see you looking through the window

Leonard Cohen was playing in the background
your pupils were dancing to every note,
your hands were sending texts across the country to someone who
would never let you cum on her breasts

i’m not her,
i’m not running through your mind when no one is around
i didn’t let you fuck me in the ass
yet
yet
there is always a second chance

but the army is forming again
and they’ve got knives to your balls
and a gun to my head
someone is going down

it’s all about love
the whispers between their teeth
and the idea that jealousy is a deal-breaker

(at least i care enough to be jealous)

i know you’re shaking
worrying about your freedom
thinking it might change,
something could suddenly become better

and it could,
it certainly could
but look, this isn’t the time to start closing your eyes every time the sun rises
you’ve got an eye for ugly things,
things that decay,
things that achieve beauty when they die

and i am one of those things

baby, i am one of those things.

08/22/2010

Author's Note:

well fuck me sideways. 
i don't know what the fuck i wrote here.
it's been a month. 
this is about...multiple people and things. 


so sue me.

Posted on 08/22/2010
Copyright © 2024 Ava Blu

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 08/22/10 at 08:39 PM
This is one of your pieces that has such a tremendous lyrical force and tone going for it. That's probably why I love the Leonard Cohen reference so much. This is right up his alley. Something in that some tone, weariness and imagery, but it's in no way a ripoff. This is a great bit of writing that stands firmly on its own.
Posted by Anita Mac on 08/23/10 at 02:56 AM
The Leonard Cohen reference caught my eye. It's such a great juxtaposition to most of the piece, but completely fitting in the end. Wonderful.
Posted by Frankie Sanchez on 08/23/10 at 05:31 PM
just... wow. there is so much to take in here and the title alone is so telling.
Posted by Jolie Jordan on 08/26/10 at 06:24 AM
I got to the last line in the second stanza and honestly I wouldn't have to have read any further to love this any more. (but I did.)
Posted by Amie Golda on 08/30/10 at 07:19 PM
Vivid, bold, unique imagery and wonderful flow. 
Posted by Steve Michaels on 10/11/10 at 02:31 PM
"i know you’re shaking
worrying about your freedom
thinking it might change,
something could suddenly become better"

That's the one that kills us all! Great stuff!
Posted by Morgan D Hafele on 02/27/12 at 12:23 AM
like a cheese grater to the face, shredded and raw.