Wednesday, February 10, 2010

ruby, part 2

to begin at the beginning click here







ruby was sad
ruby was blue
ruby didn't know what to do

another day almost gone by
and still no slice of life's pie

would she get a ride
when she got outside?
or the long empty night
greet her weary sight?



maybe gus would be waiting
gus with his voice so grating
and his hair dissipating
and his twitching lips
and his careful tips
and his restless eyes
with nothing to disguise



gus could be faithful and true
but not much to look forward to

and then there was frankie

ruby felt her brain cells burn
at the thought of frankie's possible return

frankie from the old neighborhood
was no good

with his smile so twisted
and evil eye not to be resisted

in a universe by justice kissed
a creature like frankie would not exist
he was a bum
scum
always on the run

always with a plan
to make an end run around the man

looking for the perfect score
just needing a few cents more

to get started
his hair was parted



in the middle with perfect precision
a satanic surgical incision
and his nasty little mustache
crying out, i need some cash

frankie was a cancer
not exactly the answer

ruby was tired
uninspired
maybe she would go out and get wired

she knew a little spot
nothing too hot
where she could relax
the bartender was named max

he had a little business on the side
keeping gentlemen supplied
with ladies from every continent and nation
ruby had a standing invitation



to take advantage of max's services
but the thought made her a little nervous, yes

but max hadn't mentioned it in a while
maybe she wasn't the latest style
or maybe -
the thought made her brain stop cold
she was just getting
old

the hours flowed and bended
the day was almost ended
ruby's feet were sore
she couldn't wait to get off the floor

but what was this?
her relentless nemesis
mrs carson with her icy smile
and her impeccable sense of style



had invaded ruby's station
and was displaying a full ration
of her perfect teeth so white
ruby could not take flight
and gave up the fight

mrs carson smiled like an elf
those shoes on the bottom shelf
take them out please miss
to myself i would be remiss
if i didn't try them on
sometime before dawn



the rituals were performed
ruby's back felt deformed
while mrs carson looked at the ceiling
ruby was feeling

nothing
at all

half an hour later
with her back a little straighter

ruby stood at the back stair
inhaling the halfway fresh air
when who should she look up and see
but her ancient enemy -

mrs carson
with her chauffeur named (what else?) garcon
and her eyes of midnight ink
and her mink

would you like a lift, my dear?
ruby felt like a mere
spectator at a show

but you don't know where i want to go

mrs carson's laugh was blue
oh, but i think i do



garcon opened the door of the bentley
clicking his heels like a sentry

as they sped down main street the lights
of the city were spreading their wings in flight
then the city was left behind
and they raced through the night dark and blind

mrs carson leaned back in her furs
and took ruby's hand in hers






part 3

Monday, February 1, 2010

ruby, part 1

anyone familiar with the writings of joseph moncure march, best known for his long poem "the wild party" will recognize this immediately as an imitation





ruby was a redhead and she knew the score
she worked in a department store
but she wanted more
much more

persian rugs on the floor
a house by the seashore
a rich husband who wasn't a bore

rings on every knuckle
golden slippers with silver buckles
high heel sneakers with silken laces
every hand - four aces

she wanted to be a rich mans wife
and never work another day in her life
as she stood on her little feet all day
she thought there must be a better way

some people in this lonesome town
never look up and always look down
and say i'm lucky that i am not them
and thank the lord amen

but that was not ruby's way
today or any other day
like a buttercup
drinking the suns rays
ruby always looked up

like a teacup
lifted to elegant lips
in stylish sips
on round the world trips

ruby looked around
but no satisfaction she found
her ship had run aground
right into the dog pound

when would it be her turn?
was it too late to learn
how this low account life to spurn
and began to seriously earn



ruby's avaricious dreams
flowed in never ending streams
as she stood at her post
like a restless little ghost
mrs carson approached
and the subject was broached

of the return of a pair of shoes
this was old news
mrs carson's persistence
was the curse of ruby's existence

she would waste ruby's time
for a dollar or a dime
buy and return
buy and return



with fate's permission
she taunted ruby with unearned commission

ruby managed a smile
but all the while

as the blue earth turned
her white hot ambition burned




part 2