The Rooming House on St. Charles

1968
New Orleans
I'd been in worse
and better
places
it was just a room to sleep
sweaty night sleep
and stay
in the daytime, sitting on the bed
being quiet
not bother anyone
that was how it was done
how I wanted it
to hide my future and
secrets
the secrets that drove me there
damn it to hell and back in the first place
Downtown Jackson Brown
Minnie the Moocher and
all those cats
having Mardi Gras
outside my window
shuttered and closed tight window
because . . . I felt like shit
why not
who was I to think thoughts
of grandeur
as I am sitting and sweating
and
hording secrets
secrets, like
I am no good
and
everybody knows it
made me write

Sitting all alone
In a smoky, crowded bar.
Life passes him by

What happened to the
. . . . . . . .
hell, I can't even remember
what
is gone
sad
ain't it sad
how did I get this way
alone
when the whole world is partying
made me write this

Carnival is here.
Crowds jam the street with laughter.
He plays solitaire

Last night I ventured into
society
sorta
kinda
well, I went here

High above the street
A lonely window shines bright.
Love is bought and sold

Oh, yeah, I forgot
I have
secrets
to tell
if you want to hear
do you, huh,
don't you
my, my
what good are secrets
ifnobodywantstohearthem
so I write it down
on paper, yeah

Crumpled note on floor
Tells the story of love gone.
A time for dying.

©February 3, 2005 / Jerry Pat Bolton