"This one's a little out of my comfort zone and a longer read, but I'd love your feedback."
The *building was a bit run down
a few windows had been cracked
but the neon lights still lit the street
and the parking lot was packed
Some people thought the place
was just a little ******
but others knew the drinks were cheap
which made conversation easy
Every eye stared me down
as I walked across the floor
it had been quite some time
since I'd set foot through the door
I passed by all their faces
and kept my head held high
something brought me back to town
and I had to find out why
The room felt unfamiliar
as I pulled up to the bar
I turned my head to look around
and saw his old guitar
This had been our place
where we spent most friday nights
he'd play a set with the guys
then we'd dance under the lights
"Now, what can I get a girl like you?"
the bartender broke my train of thought
I took a deep breath in and said,
"How about a ***** shot?"
The drink went down like water
so I asked for just one more
then my shoulder felt a familiar touch
and he asked what I was here for
That voice had torn my world apart
when he told me we were through
he said he'd changed his mind
and he knew what he had to do
I remembered how he held me
and he told me we would last
how "she" never made him feel like this
and she was in the past
We had talked about our future
dreaming of the day
when we could leave this town behind
and make our get-a-way
There was a great big world out there
that we both would get to see
no one else could understand
why we wanted to be free
This town held people captive
some others chose to stay
but if you were born and raised here
it was hard to see a different way
Now that I look back on things
I think I know where I went wrong
I was the one who wanted out
and he just played along
Deep down he felt at home
in this broken down old town
and all the things we talked about
would have turned his world around
So he made his choice and left
for the comfort of her bed
I begged him to come with me
he didn't hear a word I said
It seems that people talked
as they do in towns like this
and he had been convinced
that this place is what he'd miss
So, I packed up all my things
and made my way out west
I built a life from scratch
and tried to forget about the rest
There's a new man in my life
and he loves me to the core
my future could be with him
but I just needed to be sure
I replied that he's what brought me back
to the town that I came from
I needed to see his face
and maybe hear that guitar strum
I asked him, if I'd changed my mind
and had kept my life right here
would I be happy in his arms
and be the one that he holds near
He looked at me and smiled
and said, "You needed space to grow
I knew this town was just too small
so I had to let you go."
His answer wasn't what I needed
I knew my urge to roam.
still, there were times I questioned
if this should have stayed my home
I looked him in his deep blue eyes
and struggled through my tears.
he knew he was in my heart
even after all these years.
We wished it had been different
he said I'd always be the one
that he loved but pushed away
for it needed to be done
Deep down I knew that he was right
as I took just one more shot
he was happy living here
I most certainly would not
I remembered feeling trapped
and wanting to be free
needing something more
than this town could ever give me
So, I gathered up my purse
and headed out the door
letting go of the past
*for the life I wanted more