Atlantic City (S.Tennessee Ave)

what a dump
the 9 mile boardwalk of dollar store extravagance
old hotels ’80s vanished
interrupted by cheap plaster
lost history saved only by
the beach of broken sea shells
letting you know how powerful the tides
can be as they rake the sands
trying to rob the innocence of
beautiful women in sagging bikinis

leave central pier
walk between busted saloons
half way houses
and a church too afraid to be open
hearing
the waves cry from behind
forcing you to promise a 2nd date
knowing
it’s the only part of earth you can feel
moving more constantly inside than
you

return with room key
enter the hotel with sandy shoes
dragging
towels and sun burn
clear the sinuses of sea brine
shower the skin smooth
lay on the bed
flip on the television
and fall asleep laughing
to old episodes of
Lucy

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