Last Known Whereabouts

[couchgrouch]

Last Known WhereaboutsDad was in his Peterbilthalfway between nowhere and homeand Mama knew I'd be at the poolhalldreams of being a hustlin' sharkricocheted around my heartlike a beginner's breaking cueballMama left her doctor that dayin a dark and smoky hazethe only word she'd heard was "cancer"I got home late and knew it was badshe couldn't get a hold of Dadhis boss said some bar in New Hampshirewas his last known whereaboutssilence and sadness filled our houseMama was broken but she didn't break downone lonely tear on her old nightgownsomehow she found new life in her heartwell, I'd turned eighteen that FallI took care of ev'rything at hometill Mama passed through the flames of chemoshe'd given her sweat, her soul and lifeto be a good mother and wifeso I knew why she split one night for Renoher last known whereaboutswhen she left me that echoey houseDad was drunk when he fin'lly drove homeit was days till he saw he was aloneand she wouldn't be backfrom her last known whereaboutswhere she gambled and beat the housein a strapless dress and strawberry wiga frail woman dropped a coin and hit it bigdown the line after some timea fat check came for me at the poolhallfrom her last known whereabouts(c)2005 Robert George