When a man can hear
a woman's screams and sobs
thunder across an empty parking lot,
from a lone truck
partly hidden by the blanket of night,
that man is faced with a choice.
He can ignore the cries
and continue to move forward,
or he can turn and fight.
Such terrible options are rarely requested,
and no matter which decision he makes
that man will be haunted
during the quiet moments
for the rest of his life.

The wooden doors swing open, creaking as they do.
Books litter the walls, tables, and chairs.
Bestsellers filled with politics, celebrities, and dieting.
The "Classics" eisle is all but abandoned.
Shakespeare, Steinbeck, The Bronte Sisters, and more.
Books filled with elegant phrases, heartbreaking last words, and timeless prose.
I run my fingers along their spines, walking past the gravestones.
Reaching the music section, I smile and wander forward.
So many memories to be found.
Mozart, Beck, Chopin, Hendrix, the list goes on.
So many artists here, preserved through a dead medium.
CD's no longer hold a special place in the world, along with the books housed nearby.
As I walk to the entrance, now an exit, I see rows of newspapers.
Yet another reminder of times gone by.
Staring at the building, about to enter my car, I realize something.
This place is a graveyard for old things.
While the world has moved on to Kindles, iPads, and mp3s, this place has not.
That's why I'll come here until the day it to, is buried.

I tried to tell you
how I feel
you said,
"That can't be real,
You're my friend
That's the way it is
Besides I really love him."
He played you
and you broke down
Girl, I told you
he would ******* around.
You don't believe a word I say
but it ***** how he left you this way.

You got in deep
You got hurt
You keep going back
girl, you don't learn
I told you "I love you."
But it doesn't work.

Just another day, another boy
He played you, like a toy.
Broke your heart, then ran away
look how you are the very next day
played you like a fool
Girl, I bet you feel used
I come around to cheer you up
You thank me with a hug.

You got in deep
You got hurt
You keep going back
girl, you don't learn
I told you "I love you."
But it doesn't work.

Another boy again?
I've tried to be there
Yeah be your friend
You're on your own
My heart was out on the line
this whole time
Can't chase you around
Don't need to see you
keep getting hurt
You told me, "you think he is the one."
He gave you some great times
Now you've been left on your own again.

You got in deep
You got hurt
You keep going back
girl, you don't learn
I told you "I love you."
But it doesn't work.

You came to me the very next day
You asked
"Why does everyone keep leaving me?"
I looked deep into your eyes
looked at the ground and just sighed
I had no answers, cuz you're on my mind
I think to myself, how can they do things like this
to a girl like you.
It's so hard to push you away
because you come back with that beautiful face
And I can't help but capture a glimpse of your grace
You know when you're with me I'll keep you safe.

You got in deep
You got hurt
You keep going back
girl, you don't learn
I told you "I love you."
But it doesn't work.

You found another boy
You think his the one
I'm on my own again
But I know the truth
you'll come running back one day
But the thing that hurts the most
I miss you every day that you're gone
There is nothing I can say
To stop you getting hurt
But I'll be their girl when you call.
I won't let you go alone through the fall
When you need a friend
I'll pick you up again
I just hope you know
You've got a real friend
that is never letting you go...oh

You got in deep
You got hurt
You keep going back
girl, you don't learn
I told you "I love you."
But it doesn't work.

I am your best friend
Best friends stay until the end
I'll dry your eyes when you cry
Kiss, caress and hold you tight
Maybe we can be together someday
But for now your best friend I shall remain.

©2018 Written By Benji James

On the cold ground here I lay,
Swallowing the feelings I can't convey,
And I cry a silent cry,
For forever I say goodbye

My dress soaked with red,
My eyes only perceive dread,
My blood filling my throat,
My life ceased to devote

Then a sudden gift from fate,
The black that began to dominate,
Fear is not a word to describe,
My dead heart began to feel alive

From his ankles to his shoulders,
Dressed in aristocratic attire,
As dark as the sky at night,
As noble as the Duke's delight

I felt my admiration,
When he approached without hesitation,
My cheeks stained with blood,
But never a trace of disgust

Then, my eyes began to close,
Such precious moment for me to lose,
There is so much to say...
In my next life, on my dying day

Suit and tie
or gold stacked high
dreams cast out
take root
for a few

agreed upon reality
of desired traits
inhibit the minds
of never divine
mental states

stay true to yourself,
rebel
I'll stand with you

challenge your planet
with constructs of mind
shape it, form it
and for you,
the earth shall rise