1955 Poem

Peer Pressure

When we went to her house

I was young. Nervous.

All I wanted was to be famous.

Like the stars on TV.

We walked into the small house.

Sat down in the boring, grey living room.

The TV was on, but at a low volume, so I turned it up.

My manager said we had gotten the song.

I didn't care about it.

I didn't care about any song.

I just wanted fame.

Like everyone else.

On Christmas, I walked into their house.

Into the living room, bright with green and red lights.

I asked her what the song meant.

She looked like she would laugh and told me

It was just a song.

Like everyone says

I gave her a present, but I still didn't know.

What is the song about?

What is it about?

I got married.

Like every one I knew did.

That's the only reason I could think of.

And because she was so beautiful.

I forgot about her personality.

So, then I had a wife that I didn't want and

A song that wasn't mine.

And all I wanted was to know what it all meant.

Now, I have all the time to think.

Sometimes, when I feel depressed, I feel my bones lying still.

I feel the dirt packed in on top.

The people that I don't know

Lying next to me.

Lying in that little box.

And I hum the song.