audrey

“#3” by Audrey Strauss

You told me we were driving towards something,

but i didn’t believe you

until i was sliding out the passenger seat

of your little tin car.

The sun beat down on it all morning

and its doors burned my palms like hell

but they sure did glide

even when I tried to slam them shut.

I wandered around the vacant desert

and I tried to make a chart of the stars,

but I ended up surrendering myself to the first cactus I found.

If you had stayed with me,

I would’ve been stronger,

and you would’ve been willing to take me home with you

even when I whined in your passenger seat

like a stray dog.

You put a gun to my head

when I missed my exit

and ashamed, I swore I’d never drive again,

until you broke your wrist

and told me, without me, We were good as dead.

So now we go in circles

Because you tossed out all the maps

And though we’ll never reach our exit,

At least we have this time,

And no one can say

We didn’t really, really try.

“#5” by Audrey Strauss

We clink and I swallow shots.

My stomach is burning, my lips are hot.

I’m dying

and I look at you

and you squeeze my shoulder

and kiss my head,

you know all my pressure points.

I stood by you times a million

when everyone left you for less.

I wouldn’t do that,

you know I wouldn’t do that.

We eat things we catch

and you’re looking at me with a smile

because you love the hunt

but all I loved was you,

or whatever was in your hand.

You were on a hill before you met me

but I’m the one who held you

And showed you how to slide.

You kept me sane all year

because I thought I had you really,

but you’re like a fish

I should’ve known you were always slipping.

Or kind of like a wild horse

but I say that about myself,

difference is I’m always tethered to

a girl just like yourself.