SUSAN'S HOUSE


going over to susan's house
walking south down baxter street
nothing hiding behind this picket fence
there's a crazy old woman smashing bottles
on the sidewalk where her house burnt down two years ago
people say that back then she really wasn't that crazy


going over to susan's house
going over to susan's house
she's gonna make it right


down by the donut prince
a fifteen year old boy lies on the sidewalk
with a bullet in his forehead
in a final act of indignity
the paramedics take off all his clothes
for the whole world to see
while they put him in the bag
meanwhile an old couple argues inside the queen bee
the sick fluorescent light shimmering on their skin


going over to susan's house
going over to susan's house
i can't be alone tonight


take a left down echo park
a kid asks do i want some crack
tv sets are spewing baywatch
through the windows into black


here comes a girl with long brown hair
who can't be more than seventeen
she sucks on a red popsicle while she pushes a baby girl
in a pink carriage
and i'm thinking that must be her sister
that must be her sister, right?
they go into the 7-11
and i keep walking


going over to susan's house