To Be A Dream Kept

The edge of this dust choked town, West Texas, the start of another brutal summer.

I put on a show, I put on a face, a smiled sweetly, and yes, I strung that bastard along.

He offered a diamond to be his wife, to be his lover, to be HIS, to be a dream kept.

I always felt his eyes upon me, in the hall at school, and as I cheered the football team.

I know what he wants. I know his kind.

 

I made him believe I agreed, that I was his and that he had me and that it was done.

I let him slip the ring on my finger, and I kissed his greedy mouth, his hungry breath.

I told him to meet me at the courthouse at 9 sharp, and we’d be wed and bound forever.

I kept my face clean, the anger out of my eyes, and we hugged goodbye, and he was gone.

I know what I want. I know I don’t want his kind.

 

The Jeweler on the edge of town, counts out the money for the ring, a couple of thousand.

I’ve got the car lined up, an old convertible, a supposed classic, but it’ll get me to Dallas.

It’ll get me another life, far from her, far from where I was just the beauty, the prize to win.

I’ll be gone by tonight, gone from him, from this sweltering and dust choked town forever.

I know what I want. I know I don’t want his kind.