The Ballad of James Garfield
There was no one to talk to
And still you wouldn't disappear.
You were walking for hours,
Lost in Milan,
Wondering what you would say
If somebody asked what you were
Doing here.
On the train back from Florence
You cried like a bitch
For forgetting Mom's birthday.
She dropped a whole lot of money for you to come here.
The whole family's hopes
Hinge on your having fun
Going somewhere
None of them have gone.
Life goes on
But you already knew that.
Life goes on
In the apartment next door.
Life goes on
In warm windows while you walk below.
Life goes on
Setting the table for two.
Life goes on
Down the block under yellow-lit awnings.
Life goes on
Laughing while you lie in bed.
Life goes on
Two wheels and doesn't look backwards.