Love Game

Scarlet lips begin to curl around
The cigarette that she holds
Sweet smoke fills up her every breath
As another night unfolds
Staring at her reflection
With a deadness in her eyes
She lowers her head, turns off the light
And stifles her desperate sighs
Stumbling down the road she goes
Clothes outlining her perfect shape
This night, like every one before
Allows for no escape
Preying eyes with every step she takes
Leaves her lost and in despair
But she carries on in a hopeless daze
Avoiding every stare
Rounds a corner to that one same spot
Takes her place under the stars
With one last drag of her cigarette
She began waving down the cars
Remnants of the girl she was
Stare back with fleeting hope
From the reflection of a tinted glass
A customer she tries to rope
If only she could finally see
Eyes filled with love instead
Be done with pantyhose and heels
And pay per hour motel beds
If someone could look past her flaws
And try to make her whole
They’d see she’s just a frightened girl
A weary, wounded soul
If someone tried to understand
Leave nothing left to hide
Put a smile back on her tainted face
And make her stand with pride
But she knows too well not to hope or pray
Life had nothing good in store
She knows the price of happiness
And wanting so much more
Heels click along the concrete road
Though it feels like sinking sand
She walks toward the waiting car
And takes the driver’s hand
She shakes away that hint hope
Slowly creeping in her eyes
Adjusts her dress, wipes away a tear
Stifling those desperate sighs

Charlene Flanagan