Fireworks

Dark clouds painted the western sky
As I poured over the classifieds
In the local diner
Where a muted TV on the countertop
Next to the coffeepot
Re-ran The Outsiders

Truer words were never spoken
Cherry, when you assured "Things are rough all over"

I tried to run from the salt-cracked streets
Where nothing but despondency
Ever seemed to thrive
Burned a path across these lonely states
And cursed my naiveté
On the other side

I was a ghost on the Fourth of July
When the fireworks shone in your tear-filled eyes

It’s hard to not drip with disdain after drowning in debt
God damn the blood in my veins, I ain’t no patriot

I saw burdens much heavier than mine on weaker shoulders
It’s hard not to take a dive sometimes when things are rough all over