Slum Valley Blues

I’m just one the various ghosts you call

when the bass knocks against the wall

on those nights you make diamonds out of dimes

and half your convos start with- you shoulda known me then

then you ease off like nah, that was way back when

your eyes get interesting and very far away-ish

you say to me with the voice of an angel- turn me loose

Another cheers brings another story

I go through your records and play your favorite songs

you sing with your eyes so closed

every syllable coming straight from your soul

you called me the morning you had that good dream

We was out in Montana with more sky than you ever seen

you told me just lay back and watch this river flow

right then a thunderclap woke you up like whoa

You roll a smoke like a pro and you even roll me one

let’s save this one for later, I insist, as time goes to sway

and even though we fell asleep together

we woke up on our own today

~

The following playlist inspired this piece https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOOHbN9UW2G-cBZuRewsE00_O7BOAqh9h

Christian Garduno studied History at the University of California, Berkeley, where he edited a poetry collection (Evolver) and a solo work (Face). His writing can be read in over 30 literary magazines, including Riza Press, where his poem, “The Return”, was a Finalist in their 2019 Multimedia Poetry and Art Contest. Christian Garduno’s current work is a chapbook entitled “Love Above the Armstrong Limit”. He usually sometimes writes at https://medium.com/@letsfly2000