Timeless Stories

The waitress blew soft smoke
A limp cigarette dangled
From her drooping lips
A young girl sat waiting, her table empty
Watching through a grime streaked window pane

Her future pulled into the café
Filling the empty car park
Silver metal gleaming in street lights
The hum of the motor
Singing Broadway tunes

Dreams wrapped tight against the cold
Supported by the driver’s outstretched hand
She climbed the steps between
One world and the next
To ride the silver lining

Dreams of theatre doors opening wide
Led her into the cities' hungry streets
Where the wraiths of night
Slunk into the narrow alleys
That hid from the dawn

The crumpled flyer
Held deep in her pocket
Promised a role in the chorus
The first step to becoming a star
An address in silver print

The agents name was Len
Up winding narrow
Darkened stairs
A small office
Reeking of stale grey smoke

“Relax,
Have a fag”

He held out the pack
Drew out a slender stick
Held its virgin tip
To the smoldering end
Imprisoned between thin tight lips

He breathed her innocent charm
Embers flared with new life
Half burnt cigarette stubbed out
In the over flowing ash tray
Upon his cluttered desk

“Okay strip off, that’s a dear
We’re all professionals here”

Leaned back behind his desk
One hand hidden
Out of sight
She swayed, tears hidden
A dancer in a music box

“That will do.
I have a part for you”

“Just into town you say.
Do you have a place to stay?”

Her purse lay light
Empty within her bag
Dreams lay
Upon the floor
There was nowhere else to go

“Won’t cost a cent
You’ll easily pay the rent”

Silken legs to tease the eye
Stretch long and white
Satin skin, lace and bone
Cigarette softly held
In dew touched red lips

Grey breaths of smoky haze
Swirling wisps of lost desires
Exhaled within the small ornate room
Veil the actors as they perform
The endless nightly show

The white skin of her cigarette smolders
She butts it out
Grasps the outstretched
Clammy hand
Plays a part for another man

Hidden behind dreamy blue eyes
Gazing through dirty windows
In another small town bus station
The timeless stories
Begin again