N. Lamar
it was a particularly long day
walking around in the Austin heat
with too much on my mind
i’d avoided the drink
though it seemed to call for me from every watering hole i passed
the sun finally set
and the air became cool
as i headed north along Pease Park
the moonlight helped to quiet my nerves
and i started to get to a place that was peaceful
in my mind
just then a car went by and stopped at the red light ahead
a girl in a sun dress hung out the back window
waving a peace sign and saying
“i love you”
i sort of smiled
reciprocated the peace sign and said
“ditto”
she called out again
“hey
i love you
give me the peace sign back”
i said
“i am
can’t you see?”
she ignorantly persisted
“hey
i love you
give me the peace sign back”
to which i exclaimed
“ goddammit
calm down you fuckin’ hippy!”
then the car drove away
and i had to start all over
