New In Town

Drinking the sun down with somewhat strangers
In the new city I’m calling home
Baring my teeth like my life’s in danger
Simply destroying my cheek muscles

Apparently everyone’s going to Susie’s
I’m not exactly sure who that is
I was thinking she’s an old friend of Whitney’s
But she’s a bar not a person

I pull out my phone and pretend to occupy myself with something
Cast in the dulcet glow
I crawl into my palm

The table shakes beneath the gestures and laughter
As old friends reminisce and catch up
“Did you hear so and so had such and such happen?”
I nod along like I know them all

I think a bit about the so and so’s I know
And how vacant their names would be in here
Some of them would sound like complete fabrications
Who the hell names their kid something so weird

I use the restroom in only the most literal sense
I take my cleansing breath
In the filthiest room around