Jesse, It's Getting So an Honest Man Can't Even Act Decent in This World Anymore
She was an angel from Montoursville- Just another mill town, twenty
Miles north of nowhere. I'm the king,
The king of these mill men.
Holding court each night
In the taverns that line tracks.
Waiting for the train hour special
When drafts are two-for-one.
It was a Thursday night, I guess.
No, I know it. She walked into
The Angle Iron Inn like it's someplace
To be. Walked in like the wind
That slides off Shaffer's Hill, gentle
But just enough to make the cornstalks
Rustle on a mid-summer night.
I'm playing the Trivia Whiz
Quiz video, and doing good.
The jukebox is blasting something,
Something somebody stupid played
Like "Baby Love, Baby Love, Baby Love."
I bounced out of the bonus Round early
turned, and there she was,
Sitting alone, quiet, in the comer.
Of course, what with those Kesslers
And Tim shooting pool in the back,
Sheath knives, and greasy clothes and
Hair, any stranger is wise to be keeping
Close to the door. What was I to do
But go offer a friendly hand? Now
I didn't right off. Moving too fast
Makes you look like a greedy amateur.
At ten, I went over. Convinced
Her to go riding in my truck. Showed her
The river. How when the moon
Shines just right your eyes can
Ride that ribbon of water clean
To the flat, broad Chesapeake.
We went to the Station House
Across the bridge. She was a woman
With class. An angel with some dignity
Come down to the county seat.
Got us a couple of mixed drinks
And relaxed. Took her home.
Didn't even try to kiss her. Just held
Her hand like some pup. Sang her
Name on the ride back like a fool.
Still you know after the mill
Let out the next day all the boys
Were down here jazzing me,
Saying I got lucky last night.
But it wasn't like that. Yet when
Little Frankie bought me a beer,
I drank it with them. I don't care
If I see her again. She was better
Than I deserve. But tell me how
Do you right a wrong and
Make falseness come undone?
