Dignity in the Dirt

Thursday nights...
My typical night out.
Last night, which conveniently was Thursday,
the Decemberists were playing at The Intersection
in downtown Grand Rapids.


I got out of work and headed over to Kit's house
to meet up with everyone for the show.
The whole day had poured rain and was
basically kind of depressing.
I came from an unusual direction and ended up lost.
I drove and drove and my windows fogged up
and my temper started to peak out.
How could I be lost here?
Why can't I find my way?
See you later brain, come again some other day.

Finally at her house...

Took a deep breath, got a grip.
I was still the first one there.
Nothing to worry about.
Sat down at the table and smoked a little.
Ahhhh. Much better, friend.
Hello to Jen.
Helped (or hindered) Kit pick out some clothes.
Hello to Steven.
Time to go.

Feeling a little blue, not really into going.
Go anyway, whiny baby!
We walked in, so many seemingly like-minded people!
Intimate view, wonderful sound.

Stood there with my beer and my thoughts.
The band was so good.
They sounded so together.
I realized that I had been bobbing to the music.
God, don't be that girl!

I walked through the people toward the front.
Found a good spot to stand and listen up.
This band came highly recommended.
No disappointment came from me,
none that I detected.
Such great energy,
Such great musicians!

The time went by so fast, I didn't want it to end.
We begged for an encore!
Out they came to finish up with
"The Mariner's Revenge Song!"

Hey man, it's only 9 o'clock!
Ended up at The Black Rose Irish Pub.
Fun evening, good conversation.
Gotta head out, have to work in the morning.

Drove home in a funk.
Don't think I had one real thought the whole way.
Got home at 11:00 and was too
wound up to sleep.

I checked my mail
and low and behold,
3 new messages from
the one who had told
me about this band and about this show.

Oh how I wanted to tell you
that I wished you had gone.
What fun you would have had!
But we stopped talking a few days ago...
I opened the messages with massive anxiety.
What's this? I'm so confused.

These messages were written and sent 10 days ago!
I had never seen them and didn't know why
the universe would be so sick to drop them by
on the day that I had gone to the show that was yours.
And put the thoughts of you right back in my head.

I was trying hard to not feel sad.
In the back of my mind,
I thought that I could be okay with the unknown.
But when I saw the lovely lines
that you had written,
I quickly remembered why I keep longing.

What a fucking loser!
I'm trying to rhyme!
I'm so much cooler
When I'm just a friend.


My friend, my dignity is in the dirt.
if you're out there some where...
oh me, oh my, oh.....
You will never be forgotten.