Steubenville, OH

I smoked so many cigarettes the other night that my neck killed.

So much cigarette smoke

in a skull

that's there's no room left

for it to drift

and all the s**t

turns to rock

and sits like a judge

atop a neck bone.

He'd dream,

but to do that

he'd need to dream.

All day a man waits

like that.

A man waits like that

all day.

He'd seen the headlights

the syrupy scent of an

ill transmission

and then he'd seen the taillights.

Nothing.

nothing

Crime pays

$8.53 a night

for a room

in Steubenville.

Reviews

[Cindy Marietta]

Absolutely adored the last two stanzas.
"Nothing.
nothing

Crime pays
$8.53 a night
for a room
in Steubenville.
"
I also really enjoyed the first four lines, made it seem real.

I lived near Steubenville for most of my life and the tone of your poem matches it perfectly. Awesome job :)

[The Twin Arenas]

Hey, thanks! I forgot about this! Yeah, I've never been to Steubenville, but it came up in a search for "shittiest places in America." I was curious. Nothing against Steubenville. I'm fascinated by The States. Pretty much in love with it. Good and bad.

[Cindy Marietta]

Hahaha! Steubenville is most definitely one of the shittiest places in America. There is a depressing energy there that just drains you completely. I can't wait to travel around the country. There's so much to see. And exactly, whether somewhere feels good or feels bad, you'll get something out of it.

[The Twin Arenas]

Steubenville is one of the most depressing words I've ever seen.

[Cindy Marietta]

Haha, that is so true.

[Ashira Macy]

The last stanza was particularly appealing to me for some reason, though I liked the whole thing. Well done my friend.

[Baby Ricochet]

I like this one. Good images and ending

[Autumn Dawn Ridge]

I love the first stanza. I started laughing my butt off. That single stanza is Pulitzer prize stuff right there. I didn't know where it was going. It just kind of B-slapped me! lol. keep writing!

[The Twin Arenas]

thanks bud

[Daydreamer]

You have a unique style and flow. A strong voice and direct vision.. This was perfectly executed.

[The Twin Arenas]

ha, s**t. thanks for the read.

[Samirah DeVaughn]

I wish it was a part two to this, it's interesting. It leaves a lot of room to use your imagination but the imagery is great

[Matching Socks]

Great poem.
Cigarettes are killers... You should quit.
Yuck.

[The Twin Arenas]

total killers.