El Camino City by Jeff Bagato

El Camino City

That’s the car—
when I was in the suburbs
drinking high school beer in
the Ground Round—if I
were to run I might at least
get to the 7-11

When I was at home, looked out
my window and to run
from there would mean
more houses and streets
with states’ names

sit quiet because a nightmare
like a bully
goes away if
you bow your head

sneak out of the house
and tonight’s the night
if anything’s going to happen—
that’s
the car, no one to talk to
but the keys in your hand

Four wheels under your ass and
you can get to the next oasis;
throw all the beer
out the window when
rooftop lights appear behind

We die in it—my dad
died in this seat tonight
in fact and ate his dinner
at the table without a word

that’s the car
I want to have
one day

Jeff Bagato is a multi-media artist living near Washington, DC, Jeff Bagato produces poetry and prose as well as electronic music, and glitch video. Some of his poetry has appeared in Empty Mirror, Futures Trading, Otoliths, H&, Ex-Ex Lit, and Zoomoozophone Review. His published books include Savage Magic (poetry), Cthulhu Limericks (poetry), The Toothpick Fairy (fiction), and Computing Angels (fiction). A blog about his writing and publishing efforts can be found by clicking here…

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