Open a book and relax

He smelled strongly of cigarettes, Marlboro to be exact, and was off on his way to purchase another pack. In reality, he couldn't afford this addiction of his, or as he liked to call them, an old past time. Bank notices let him know how much money was left in his almost empty wallet. And with a ring and a swipe, he was connected to the only thing that kept him going. His daughter Natalie was in the first grade now, and this was his weekend. For a moment he thought of buying her a candy bar instead of his own candy sticks. He waited patiently in line, allowing the chocolate to melt in his palms. The womam at the cash register checked him out, and he walked back to his truck, cracking open a new pack of reds and wiping his empty hands on his coat leaving chocolate stains that he did not own.

Hey Factory Man with the little ol' van crackin' jokes on the line, spitting seeds as you walk and talk and do it all. Pull the lever, push the button, take a sigh when the kid on '12 is screwing things up again. There's shit on the floors and the hardened man with his blood, sweat, and tears cries for some justice in the union. What the hell happened to this God forsaken country? "Hey Lar- How's the wife?" Red headed hot flame of '71 aint so hot no more. But hottest to the neighbor next door. Too-da-loo She's gone again. They share the same shifts of the night to early hours of the morning. Who's gunna hold her sweetness when you're gone all day everyday? !Beep Beep Beep! "Off the line for five!" And that means 10, or 15, or just go home for the day. Paid by the hour, so sleep while you can to afford college for Mary, a saint she is. Beautiful Virgin Mary. So pure and untouched. To the best of public schools can offer. Though he only sees her before the first bell and her skirts are too short but what does he know he's just an old man. !Beep Beep Beep! "Go on get home!" A long drive, frozen in the little ol' van, steering with your knees to keep your hands warm. Drive thru the flashing reds and yellows - It's too earl I guess - For following laws he don't believe in. Quick stop at the Diamond Dot to pick up a pack of reds and an energy drink to get him thru the next day. But he's .25 short from when he donated the last of his change to the kids fighting cancer at the Walmart check out last week. So he drops the drink back in the fridge. !Beep Beep Beep! Key in the ignition with a constant reminder to buckle up. Another law he don't believe in. !Beep Beep Beep! ( continues in 5 second intervals in BG ); Beat Beat Beat Pull into the iced up drive way that never gets plowed and into an empty home. It's too exhausting to worry about where his women are anymore. So he grabs a Bud - gets comfy in the off-brand La-Z-Boy and crashes before a sip was ever enjoyed. !Beep Beep Beep! Beat Beat Beat He didn't wake up for the call back shift. Or his daughter sneaking in thru the back door. Or his wife flipping him off after her late night fun. Or the paramedics that he couldn't afford. !Beep! ( One beep held for a few seconds then fades );

1,2,3,4,5 and 6 /squeak of a bed/ She jumps on an old, stained mattress. Gets down when she hears the creak of the door. Her father treats her like her mother. 1,2,3,4 and 5 Run and stumble out the only working door of the house that isn't blocked by heaps of things that still can be used. Stepping on every crack without realizing she is breaking her poor mother's back. 1,2,3 and 4 A pink bicycle with training wheels permanently screwed and a left over blackjack game the carnies never finished playing in the sparkly pack strapped to the handlebars. 1,2 and 3 /squeak of a bed/ The door of her room is cracked but now's not the time. The old lady who lives next door let's her play on the tree in front of her house. 1 and 2 Lay your head down sweet little girl. She's taken to a land of tropics, warmth, and kisses by it's name.