Myshkin's Ruby Warblers

CHIMAYO

LOLO’S PAINTING UP HIS CADDY AGAIN COVERING PURPLE PINSTRIPE WITH A DEEP LOVE RED AND JOANNE WALKS OUT THE HOUSE ON HER LONG BRONZE LEGS AND SMILES AS SHE LEANS OVER THE CADILLACS HOOD
SHE SAYS LOLO NEXT WEEKEND WE GET THAT BATHROOM BUILT HE SAYS THIS HOUSE IS A HUNDRED YEARS OLD HASN’T NEEDED ONE YET SHE SAYS ALL RIGHT RIGHT NOW I’M GOING UP THE ROAD TO YOUR DAD’S EAT SOME OF YOUR MAMA’S CHILE TAKE A LONG HOT BATH
PRETTY BOY FLOYD WITH HIS OUTLAW STRIDE STRUTS OVER TO RUB HIS SKINNY CUR HIDE ROUND JOANNE’S LEGS AS SHE SLIPS INSIDE THE BLACK THUNDERBIRD LOW RIDE
HE SWALLOWS A SNOUT OF THAT T BIRD’S DUST AS JOANNE IDLES CROSS THE COMPOUND WAVES AT CHARLES JUST AS HE’S STEPPING OUT THE DOOR OF HIS SINGLEWIDE COMING OVER TO SEE IF I’VE GOT A SMOKE AND SOME SPARE TIME
TO TALK ABOUT NOTHING TALK ABOUT IT SLOW CAUSE THAT’S WHAT WE DO IN CHIMAYO

SWEET APPLES LIE ROTTEN ON THE SUNBURNT GRASS AND THE SKY IS AN ENDLESS ACHING PANE OF THE PUREST DELFT GLASS AND I SCATTER BARE FOOT PRINTS ALONG THE RIVER PATH HOPING TO LEAVE SOMETHING BEHIND SO I CAN FIND MY WAY BACK
CAUSE MONDAY MORNING I’LL BE WALKING TO THE HIGHWAY SIDE STICK OUT MY THUMB AND HOPE FOR A QUICK KIND RIDE AND I’LL SPEND MY DAY PAINTING STUCCO SOME SICK SHADE OF BROWN TRYING TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE IT WAS BUILT OUT OF THE GROUND
AND WHEN I GET HOME AT NIGHT I’LL BE TOO TIRED TO PLAY AND AT THE END OF THE WEEK WHEN I GET MY PAY I’LL BE SO DAMN FULL OF SILENCE I’LL BE WOUND UP SO TIGHT THAT I’LL JUST STAY IN TOWN AND I’LL STAY UP ALL NIGHT
AND THE LONESOME WILL MIX WITH THE LIQUOR AND THE LUST AND IT’LL ALL GET MIXED UP SOMEHOW AND LEAVE A THIN BLOOD CRUST WHEN I WAKE UP IN A STRANGERS BED WITH MY ARMS ACHING WONDERING WHAT KIND OF FEVER MAKES ME GET THIS WAY
AND WE’LL TALK ABOUT NOTHING CAUSE WE‘VE GOT NOTHING TO SAY AND THAT’S WHAT WE DO IN SANTA FE

WEST IS WHERE YOU GO WHEN YOUR RUNNING AWAY IT’S THE LAST LONG ROAD IT’S THE GREAT ESCAPE IT’S THE BIG BLAZING ICON OF THE LAST FREE SPACE AND SOMETIMES IT LIVES UP TO IT’S MYTH THAT WAY
AND THE WEST HAS A WAY OF WORKING INTO YOUR BLOOD IT WILL BAKE SOMETHING SOLID OUT OF GRASS AND MUD SOMETHING SOLID YOU CAN SLIP YOUR NAKED SELF INSIDE AND YOU CAN GROW UP TO FIT IT OR YOU CAN JUST HIDE
CAUSE THERE’S NOTHING HOLDING THAT DAMN SKY IN AND THERE’S NO BORDERS AND NO SUCH THING AS SIN AND IT’S STILL WILD WILD AND IT’S STILL THIRSTY AND SORE AND YOU HAD BETTER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
CAUSE IF YOU’RE FEELING BIG AND YOU’RE FELLING BOLD FEEL LIKE YOU CAN GET A GRIP ON THAT GLASSY SKY AND KEEP HOLD THEN MAYBE YOU CAN TAKE THAT SKY WITH YOU ANYWHERE BUT IF YOU JUST SLIDE OFF, GIRL WHO IS GONNA CARE
THEY’LL JUST TALK ABOUT NOTHING NOTHING AT ALL CAUSE THAT’S WHAT WE DO IN AMERICA WE TALK ABOUT NOTHING NOTHING AT ALL YES THAT’S WHAT WE DO IN AMERICA