I.
California,
you are like God,
with so many to love that
you can't love us all anymore.
you gave us cocaine and
spray paint to occupy ourselves.
I left,
with palm trees and pine trees
and big city lights in my hair.
II.
Virginia asked me why I painted my nails the color of 80mph car crashes
for two years in homage to you.
You should be proud of the fuck-off girl you grew me to be.
You should have warned me that you can see the stars at night on the east coast;
the sky is black, I wasn't prepared.
III.
Now,
North Carolina hugs me at the hips,
and grows on me quickly, like love handles.
North Carolina gave me snow
an
i thought i wanted honesty
(until you gave it to me)
then i realized that truth
(the real unvarnished kind)
is all sharp edges like samurai
swords and whet-stoned
knives
the cuts are clean
(but, god, theyre deep)
so the next time i
desire naked truth
sheath your righteous tongue
soften, whitewash, equivocate
and when i ask if you love me
(and you say yes)
i can pretend a little longer
that its true
Lets take a stroll down the happy side of life.
If optimisms missin than you have to get it right.
The opposite of trippin is to nearly only stumble.
Like sand is the aftermath of mountains when they crumble.
We always have to wonder whats the point of being nervous.
When all our friends are smiling--
like restaurant services.
Father never heard us,
mother always cared.
My radio blastin, shes mad with a snare.
BUCK! BUCK! Blastin shots from ah GATT.
Surly foes fall when you think like that.
Distracted by a man in his blue suede shoes.
Watchin as he ponders on what path to choose.
The tools of the trade,
Decisions being made.