Don’t Go

Don’t Go

there's no
understanding
in the bars
like the same bars
in all the towns
where
the tellers
at the bank
next door
used to go
for lunch
but are told
now
"don't go there anymore
cause it's got
a bad reputation."

the same bars
where the football coach
used to cool off
after the games
but don't
anymore
cause it's not a good
look
for the team
or the school

don't go there
to linger
among
the drifters
those
who 
in their own ways
of losing
haven't found
enough traction
either

don't go there
in search
in hope
of something
that still
eludes
since nobody
including you
neither here
nor there
nor anywhere
seems to have
any
real
traction

don't go
to that bar
looking
for something
where nothing's
to be found

don't go there
hoping
for anything
cause all you'll do
is leave
drunk
stinking
of cigarettes
and still
empty

there's a hope
i suppose
of common desperation
begetting
understanding

i suppose
everyone's
desperation
is unique
too deep
too complicated
to grasp
even
by ourselves

everyone's 
desperation
needs
longings
too tangled
to articulate
to ourselves
let alone
be understood
by anyone
else

don't go there
cause
in lieu 
of too little understanding
and too much
misunderstanding
you'll exchange
some laughs
some drinks
some cigarettes
a little
but never enough
hope
some minor wins
some major defeats
in understanding's
absence
but you'll never find
what
you need