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On the last train to Straightsville
fake leopard skin sneakers
a flat cap floating
unbelievably
Girls on the way back
playing clips from
their mint concert
on limited digital camera
phones
“Remember that, kid?”
Last chance to get off
but I’m on the last train
with
muttering invisibles
bubbling in
cartoon voices
intense word sounds
meaningless
but urgent
Orange light streaks
collide with silver-shred
tangled shots
of young & lovely
loud, laughing mouthful
perfect, cloud-teeth
falling into
aisles of reality
“We need to be moving”
it’s still mental-land
in Straightsville
or what they call normal
the fuckers
Giggling girls
shout and gambol
“will you get off…”
If only I could
no more stations but this one
last train to Straightsville
Paul Blackburn
Pic: Claire Palmer