Original Work #4

Finally, something current (and there was much rejoicing...)!

When Did I Stop Loving You?

Girls, you’ve got to know when it’s time to turn the page - when you’re only wet because of the rain. -from Northern Lad by Tori Amos

I couldn’t tell you the exact day,
but looking back I think it was somewhere between
our first year in Bakersfield and two years ago in Amsterdam,
when I realized how much you’d say,
like the trochaic tetrameter drizzle of a slow beginning rain,
BAby BAby BAby BAby

I’ll pay attention later
BAby BAby BAby BAby

Can’t you do this for me
BAby BAby BAby BAby

I don’t wanna, go by yourself
BAby BAby BAby BAby

Haha – I know someday you’ll probably leave me
BAby BAby BAby BAby

You would put your mouth everywhere,
around your bottle, your cigarette, your pipe,
trying to suck salvation from anywhere,
anywhere but the woman
who created your life,
(BAby BAby BAby BAby)
built your home,
(BAby BAby BAby BAby)
planned for your children,
(BAby BAby BAby BAby)
while you sat on that same green couch,
still saying you’ll pay attention later.
(BAby BAby BAby BAby)

And when you would finally climb into bed
and touch me for the first time all day,
I would say,
“No BAby BAby BAby BAby,
I’m so tired.”
When what I meant was,
“If you’re looking for something wet to play with,
go outside and play with the rain.”