BAS Poetry: A Long Pause in a Small Town

Broke-Ass Stuart is now accepting poetry submissions to be featured in the BAS Poetry: Arts & Culture column. Written & curated by Corinne Avganim.

Photo: 12 O’Clock Boys via Vice.com

It is HOT in San Francisco, which I’ve decided means I am on a visceral vacation. Sitting in the heat, drinking a cold one, and reading pretty words about small towns and warm nights has really sealed the feel. Try it, you’ll like it.

A LONG PAUSE IN A SMALL TOWN
By Robert Jeffrey
Dunedin, Florida

This town feels
empty at night.
I wander the streets
and see
drunks walk home
from bars
and tired faces
frown
in the darkness.

Two kids
on dirt bikes
cruise past me
in front of
a gas station.
They swear
at each other,
spit,
and keep riding.

I know she’s
out there:
some pouty faced
beauty
just looking
for love.

I stare out
at the street,
slowly sipping
my iced coffee.

Snap! Keep up on Robert on his blog, and stay tuned here for more new work from the BAS community. Until then, you can follow us via @brokeassstuart and the hashtag #poetryisvoice.

To submit a poem, email poetry@brokeassstuart.com with your 100% original piece of work, full name, age, city, links to social media, and (optional) biographical blurb.