Poetry by Johnny Longfellow

                  Valerie White CC



​The Jukebox Played Surrender


Ya’ surrender your last dollar take back the quarter
From the edge o’ the bar ya’ stumble ya’ stagger
To the corner where she stands there prettier than ever
Underneath the ceilin’ fans spinnin’ like dancers
 
The jukebox the beerlight plays off o’ her shoulders
Surrounded by the others the loveless the lovers
Seemin’ handsomer smarter somehow wittier than you are
The leerer the gawker her admirer from afar
 
Who wades through the amber the glimmer o’ Budweiser
Sayin’ hey there bartender how ‘bout another
But kisses ain’t promises an’ bartenders ain’t creditors
An’ that’s one bitter chaser whatever your pleasure
 
To fin’ all your longin’ glances receivin’ no answer
From the one who ya’ hel’ once but not any longer
Feelin’ further away the closer ya’ are to her
An’ colder colder than when the  last call lights flicker
 
As ya’ sidestep ya’ swagger towards the bar door
Where ya’ shiver an it’s winter your breath in the air
‘Til back in your bed with your clothes on the floor
Ya’ pull your pillow in closer an’ whisper this prayer
 
Hi God it’s Johnny I don’t know if Ya’ remember
The last time we spoke was ten years ago if not longer
An’ though it’s been a while I still sorta wonder
If You could help me out now that I’ve lost ‘er
 
I was a drunk when we first met now I’m even drunker
An’ I feel like I’m drownin’ in some very deep water
Deeper ‘n’ lower this time I’m really goin’ under
An’ I need You before I drop another heartbeat further
 
‘Cause I’ve never felt lonelier or angrier guiltier
For anythin’ I’ve ever done to anyone before
I didn’t wanna hurt ‘er I didn’t wanna leave ‘er
Jus’ what I thought made a savior created a martyr
 
So give me some sign some knowledge that You’re up there
By listenin’ to me now by answerin’ this prayer
To forgive me all my debts as I forgive my debtors
‘Cause I’m tired an’ I’m drunk an’ God I surrender 



​
 
Drivin’ on the Black Ice
​
 
Love . . . shriekin’ on a hairpin hot rubber squealin’
Over soft shoulders breakneck speed exceedin’
The point past the distance o’ my overturnin’
Suicide doors openin’ but no room for jumpin’
 
Dead air on my stereo speakers blown ‘n’ crackin’
‘Cept on a.m. radio some evangelist is preachin’
In Jesus you can find all that you are seekin’
Hammers nails ‘n’ crosses for your own crucifyin’
 
Drivin’ on the black ice frost heaves upwellin’
With St. Mary prayin’ by dashboards lights glowin’
Across three lanes o’ highway tires hypdroplanin’
Guardrails on the edge my only grace o’ savin’
 
(Tremblin’ I’m sobbin’ cryin’ out rememberin’
Your strokin’ my forehead promisin’ whisperin’
From the futile arguin’ no cats ‘n’ dogs fightin’
As I lay there helplessly noddin’ yes believin’)
 
Fearin’ from this death ride I may not be returnin’
White knuckin’ through the thunder ‘n’ the lightnin’
Gettin’ off the exit on the nexus reemergin’
Out o’ my alignment bearins loose ‘n’ wobblin’
 
Burnin’ up the breakdown at sixty ‘n’ acceleratin’
Teardrops on my windshield once again are fallin’
Lookin’ in my rearview I thought I saw ya’ wavin’
The image o’ your figure recedin’ disappearin’
 
An’ so go all o’ my crashins 'n’ my burnins
Stoppin’ at a crossroad a fork o’ my own choosin’
Left or right no turnin’ back shiftlessly I’m idlin’
Knowin’ that I’m lost searchin’ I’m still drivin’

​

Johnny Longfellow is the editor of Midnight Lane Boutique. A Pushcart Prize nominee, his poetry has been published at The Five-Two, The Literary Hatchet, The Rotary Dial, The Sonnetarium, and elsewhere. You can read more of Johnny's published verse by visiting "Heeeeere's Johnny . . . Longfellow, That Is." 

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