HOME | DD

Description
Broken Records and Baby Steps
By: Charles Phillips

You always knew when she got into a fight
or when her shift ended at the pub
she could be found in the alley near her flat
nothing was really ever different
she’d just stand out there
she’d watch the cars go by
everyone knew what she was thinking
the same thing we all were
one of these days we’re gunna catch a cab
catch one and leave this tiny town
no one ever left this tiny town
or so if they did it was for long
they came back once they got knocked up
both of us came from the states
but we’ve been here for the last twelve years
we never really talked unless
well there really is no unless
I think the time we ever spoke she asked me for the clichéd cup of sugar
to which I had none
and had to turn her away

She watches the cars go by
this one a guy hangs out and blows kisses at her
she looks at them
and flips them off
calls the guy an asshole
which he rightfully was
then goes back to leaning against the wall
and smokes her fag
the glazed look of wonder in her eyes
today was different than normal
she looked spaced
it made me stare rudely
but in wonderment
everytime you come back to earth
and notice me staring
you look at me in the same way
it makes me stop
at least for a little bit
you take another drag
then ask me
“What the fuck are you staring at me for?”
in a rightfully angered tone
I really have no answer besides to ask
“What’s wrong you look different,
like you not here?”
You look at me like did this guy really ask me that
you pull your fag away from your lips
and say
“I’m getting the hell out of here.”
I only say
“Congrats”
then you say with a mix of fear
and bewilderment in your eyes
“I’ve wanted this since I was ten,
and I couldn’t be more afraid of the future.”
then you go back to leaning against the wall
and take the last drag
put the butt out on the heel of your boot
and walk back into the building to your flat

5/26/2013

Description
Broken Records and Baby Steps
By: Charles Phillips

You always knew when she got into a fight
or when her shift ended at the pub
she could be found in the alley near her flat
nothing was really ever different
she’d just stand out there
she’d watch the cars go by
everyone knew what she was thinking
the same thing we all were
one of these days we’re gunna catch a cab
catch one and leave this tiny town
no one ever left this tiny town
or so if they did it was for long
they came back once they got knocked up
both of us came from the states
but we’ve been here for the last twelve years
we never really talked unless
well there really is no unless
I think the time we ever spoke she asked me for the clichéd cup of sugar
to which I had none
and had to turn her away

She watches the cars go by
this one a guy hangs out and blows kisses at her
she looks at them
and flips them off
calls the guy an asshole
which he rightfully was
then goes back to leaning against the wall
and smokes her fag
the glazed look of wonder in her eyes
today was different than normal
she looked spaced
it made me stare rudely
but in wonderment
everytime you come back to earth
and notice me staring
you look at me in the same way
it makes me stop
at least for a little bit
you take another drag
then ask me
“What the fuck are you staring at me for?”
in a rightfully angered tone
I really have no answer besides to ask
“What’s wrong you look different,
like you not here?”
You look at me like did this guy really ask me that
you pull your fag away from your lips
and say
“I’m getting the hell out of here.”
I only say
“Congrats”
then you say with a mix of fear
and bewilderment in your eyes
“I’ve wanted this since I was ten,
and I couldn’t be more afraid of the future.”
then you go back to leaning against the wall
and take the last drag
put the butt out on the heel of your boot
and walk back into the building to your flat

5/26/2013