Cigar Store American

[couchgrouch]

Cigar Store American"Open" sign on the doorbut people rarely stopDan still dusts the pipe caseand fans out the magazineshe's a cigar store Americanthere's a dollar on the wallfrom his dad's first salethe frame hangs a little crookedon that rusty nailJoe was due for lunchhe brings hot dogsDan's got the smokesthey complain about businessand pour rum in their cokesDan patted his pocketfor a fresh packthen patted down his mindfor thoughts that took him backguys useda light cigarssit down and read the newsDan's father always watched himshining up their shoeshe was a cigar store Americanpart of a fading breedwith a small time businessand hungry mouths to feedJoe came infeeling off kilterhis face'd gone yellowlike a Camel filterhe shook Dan's hand goodbyesaid he sold his cafehis little coffee shopjust didn't paythings'd changed in that neighborhoodand not all for the goodthey were driving all the good folks awaythere's diff'rent smoke shops,in motels down the blockdoing business night n daythough that dollar on his wallis all Dan has saved upthe rest of his days, he'll dust that pipe casehe'll never close his shophe's a cigar store Americanpart of a fading breedwith a small time businessand hungry mouths to feeda cigar store Americana cigar store American(c)2004 Robert George