new poem

as transcribed out of a journal from a real life experience, revised a bit for the sake of the poetic.

~flash~ ~flash~

11.18.02  9:24pm

I walk out the door..

Chicago, city alley-

woman screaming "help"

(she can't take it no more) 

I tell guy to keep walking

rounds on me, considers, leaves

she hides behind me

we walk away some-

"you high?" -

(tricks up her sleeve).

"want some head or pussy?" she asks.

she's selling herself for three bucks.

THREE DOLLARS!

THREE DOLLARS?!

"Cmon baby, let's f**k."

"No."

 So... 

I walked her back to main st.

and I gave her some change-

"hey baby" to school kid on bike,

an animal back in free range.

lies lies lies

$3.60 for fare home

not addicted, she says

drink sometimes, she says

"want some head or some pussy?

I gotta condom," she says.

Oh gutter love, gutter lover

three dollars a pop

where you from? where you goin'?

this s**t's gotta stop.

Gotta name? Gotta home? 

Got a chance for redemption?

Does your mommy know about

all this stuff you don't mention?

Are you out on your own?

You sure there's no babies at home,

while your out on the street-

crack pipe to stay blown?

Oh gutter love, gutter lover

Miss three dollars a pop

What might you buy with these riches

and why can't you stop?

Maybe you'll buy six guitar picks

for the price of some kicks,

or three bags of dollar Doritos

in exchange for sick licks?

or did you need a bit of change,

to make some local payphone calls?

Or will you buy twelve gumballs

from the machine

that you saw at the mall?

Did you need postage stamps,

to send letters with care?

Or would you buy one and a half bus fares

to take you somewhere?

three scratch tickets

some cheerios

three bottles of pop

 two sunday newspapers

a couple bic lighters

this s**t's gotta stop.

Oh gutter love, gutter lover

Where you goin'?  Whaddo you know?

"hey baby, hey sugar-

it's three dollars a blow.

I'm your gutter lover, baby.

Lovin' you from the gutter.

For the price of cheap rocks,

I'll give you a bargain like no other.

You ask where I'm goin'?

s**t man I don't know.

These streets like my office-

I just blow to stay blown."