tori n me
take scarlet for a walk
i guess we’re in dakota or wyoming or somewhere
the lonesome whistle blowing down the trestle: ooooeeee
its the 1950s everything all black n white
no beatles
no internet
no tiramisu
no aioli
no dice
john dee in the dried out river bed
playing some old chuck berry number
and skyping his angel within the crystal ball
some gunslinger
dock holiday
or wild bill
still holding the deadmans hand
americana
toris a waitress at joes cafe
i just been laid off by the mining company
times are tough
maybe this is a dream
no…maybe not…
its always 3 o’clock on some fall afternoon
the clouds are ominous
my heart is heavy
a burnt out ford customline
a rattle snake in the dust
nothing for miles n miles
horizon disappears behind the black hills
we dont say much
tori answers my questions with a shake of her head
or an uh-huh
shes wearing her one good dress
the one her daddy bought for her in bismarck
i’m wearing my old suit patched n worn shiny
i got ten bucks in my pocket that i clutch for consolation
life is harsh
we always seem to be sad
are you sad ? i ask her
she shakes her head
are you happy here ? i ask her
she looks at the silent slag heaps and circling distant black birds
uh-huh she says so quietly
i was thinking i could get us a piano …i suggest
uh-huh she says
maybe you could learn to play i say
uh-huh she says her eyes glassy and lost
we walk back into town
the saloon has closed down
and the train dont pass this way anymore
i scratch my head squinting into the dull glare
what you gonna do now ? i ask her
she shakes her head
and the wind gently blows tiny whirlpools of dust down mainstreet