Might live in my brain forever,
despite the building being
demolished. As it should have been.
The walks. The pool tables. The men
that wanted to put my tips
down my shirt, the sticky sticky
dance floor. The one middle aged
couple grinding it out every night.
Lemon pepper wings at 10 cents each.
My spare time spent with Louis
and Lestat. 17 and no concern for me.
Concern for Hana, for Kristen, even
when the men were the same.

I want someone who wants
to protect me but knows
I don’t need it.