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Scales (Sam Ray - New Orleans, LA)


“Don't you know how much I love you, Sam?" 

As if. As if

Love could be weighed on scales, like

I weighed out the baggies

I prayed would 

Pay my rent, 

Buy your– 

Love?


Love by the gram, 

Behind the 8 ball,

A key unlocks your heart, 

To make you say

To make you stay 

Forever.


We only lasted

Til I was out of meth

And what was left? 

Broken glass.

Burnt spoons. 

Bruised veins.


"Your heart isn't broken;

Or if it is, it broke itself, Sam." 

Loud whispers in the dark

At noon, another sad 

Nameless, anonymous room. 

Didn't take 12 steps,

You left.

I wept.


Hispanic housekeepers 

Sought the American Dream, 

They found me

Sobbing on the floor. 

Screaming and shaking and 

Crying for more.


More dope? 

More you?

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure there's

A difference 

Anymore.

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