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