she left the pen on the shelf
for the last few days
afraid of her own mistempered tongue
& the way she felt so alone
in a crowded
bar

to dive in
with nostalgic hope
is to die
in heavy-laden glances
from the stage
& realize that this is all
you will ever have
left

& it is hell
yes
as it may always be

but you must let those eyes
gaze upon you

until you realize
you must walk away
with heightened
shoulders

'cause honey you were never
good enough
to stand up there
in the laughter
& the groovy depth


never good enough
to sing along


that
& you really ****
at the two-step