Did anybody see a little girl named Charlene
She went to school somewhere near Tremont St.
It was early sixties and the sky was always clear
In Las Vegas Nevada spelt NV

Her Daddy was a hit man, come from Chicago way
He told me not to look at her "don't get in the way"
I'm only here to do a job
After that we'll both be gone
So leave my daughter be you little one

Charlene, Charlene
My little kindergarten queen
I know That you are not bubbles
The girl that brought me double trouble
So try to hunt me down please please
Charlene, Charlene

Remember how you loved your nap
And the kiss I gave you after snack
It's been almost fifty years
And I'm still missing you my dear
  

Charlene, Charlene
You are my kindergarten queen
I hope to see you someday again
Please, Please, Please
Charlene, Charlene

I came in like a storm.
Your violent wind carried me through.
Leaving pieces of myself floating in the air.

Staying steady with the beat in your chest.
My back holding your chest together.
As we pushed and pulled into each other.
I was afraid if I didn't stay still your heart would fall out.

Your forehead resting on the back of my neck.
Arms were around me but I was holding you.
The whole world was held down by that steady beat.

I count the pills that were discoloring into the bile on the kitchen floor.
Like when you hold skittles in your sweaty hands for too long.
The contrast between the comparison made me shudder.
Though at that moment I did feel like a child.
The red was almost comedic against the white tile.
The beer cans were a crescent moon around the scene.
I can see you there sitting on the cold floor.
Palms on the ground, back against the corner.
I can see it and you were beautiful.

I straighten up.
My heart tumbles down into the pit of my stomach.
I feel so selfish.
I was glad to have you as my companion in this alternate world.
This world where for so long,
I felt like the only one to want to live there.
Now you are here, with me.
Of course you are.

Monday Night Football will be shown , no announcement on the morning news , women became mothers , fast food will be available , there will be traffic this morning , quiet desperation ,  familiar stories , solitude , joy and grief to others ...Homeless men and women will die today. Affairs of the state will continue and someone will get their " fifteen minutes" ! Ambivalence....Continuity.....

Birthdays , celebrations , myriad recollections forgotten-
But I will take to my deathbed my childhood on the banks of the Chattahoochee !