And here in the alleys
Your spirits will rally
As you learn quick to make a fast buck
In bathrooms and barrooms
On dumpsters and heirlooms
We bit our tongues
Sucked our lips into our lungs
Because we were falling
Such was our calling

--

And you were the most naïve of us all.

When we had first met, I only thought of one thing, and that was to warn you. I didn't want you to end up like myself; I didn't want this type of life to taint you.

I didn't want it, but no matter how many times I told you this, you ignored me with a delicate shrug of a shoulder.

I watched as it slowly ate you, and made you emotionless. I watched as you scrounged around for the drugs you whored yourself to get. For the first time in three years, I cried; I cried for your mother, and your father whom I'm sure missed you terribly.

And…maybe I cried for myself, however selfish that may have sounded. I cried for the many nights I could have told you to 'do this' or 'do that', but I didn't and now you're somewhere with someone.

Your drawers were full of rumpled clothing, and crumbled dollar-bills and used needles. I sighed and placed the money back.

I heard you banging on the door to let me know that you wanted in. I took in your appearance nonchalantly, though the way you presented yourself was quite shocking. Your hair in disarray, and your clothing torn and muddy.

"What happened?" I asked softly, placing a cool finger-tip on a purplish bruise that was forming under your left eye. You winced slightly, but welcomed the contact.

You bit your lip. "I was assaulted; there were too many for me to handle, so I fled."

I placed my right hand flat against your chest. "This isn't good; even two men would be too hard to handle when you're sick." I can feel your fever underneath the wool shirt you wore. You grabbed my hand and jerked it away from your body.

"I'll be fine," You turned and stalked toward the bathroom. "All I need is a shower…"

The door slammed shut, and I sighed. Sitting down on the bed, I held my head in my hands and a few tears leaked out of my eyes. Using again? Most likely.

However, tomorrow was Sunday…

--

And oh, what a bargain,
We're two easy targets
For the old men at the off-tracks,
Who've paid in palaver
And crumpled old dollars,
Which we squirreled away
In our rat trap hotel by the freeway.
And we slept-in Sundays.

-Finis

Well, I think I'm going to continue "Your Arms Full of Lullabies, Orchids and Wine" (long title) and make them sort-a drabbles.

This one is inspired by the Decemberists song "On the Bus Mall" which made me cry the first time I heard it…It's a great song!

As always, please review. OH! I'll try to update "We Both Go Down Together" soon; we're (finally!) going on the Sioux City trip Tuesday, so I'll try to write then!