Love and War

Spanish harlem are not just pretty words to say

And my head turns, what

And she’s slamming around the house looking

Beautiful and hideous and argumentative

And she looks like she’s about to leave

I think I threw the plastic container about that time

This was 2001

And when she left, I cried

More than I ever have in my life

She had a small one room apartment

With four hideous, awful women

And when I would visit

She’d make me leave just before we

Knew we would fuck

And I would tuck my notebook in my side

And walk home crying

Sometimes she’d hold me

For just one more time

And I’d cry while she

Snored like a bansaw

God, I loved her

And I loved her so much

I screamed at her

And told her how wrong she was

And how right we were

And I listened to music in the car

Driving badly

And my grades suffered

And a few ugly women tried to get me to sleep with them

But I just looked at the CD collection

With half of the CDs gone

And prayed for death

When it came to light she’d been fucking my best friend

We screamed some more and ate

And then decided it best that we get back together

The friend said

This is not between Neal and I

This is between Neal and Neal

Which I thought astoundingly cruel

As he knew I didn’t know he was fucking my girl

He was still right

And we are together, nine years now

And I thank the lord for the people I have found

I thank the lord for the people I have found

As she rounds the bend with fingers wet from dishes

Asking me why I can’t just be more tolerant

She was right

I say this because she is driving home in the dark now

And I fear for her life

I say this because I would kill you for her

I say this because

These are the things that must be said