Last Lick from the East

I found myself in Seattle in
the mid '90s. Just like
a fish out of water I was,
searching for the right
cliques, the right bars,
or even just a friend or two.
And my quest for an apartment
was without end. I lived in
every sort of place you can
imagine. Some places you can't.
During the last quest I was
destined to make, I got
a little kick in the pants
from all the way home.
I found a room in what
appeared to be a building
filled to the brim with
hip kids, beautiful people
veritably oozing from
the walls. I really wanted
to count myself among those
"in" ranks, with a room there, seedy
as it was. I met with the landlord;
she liked me, and everything
seemed like a go. But then
a routine credit check turned up
a report of bad credit
from a creditor in New York,
a utility I believe. The landlord
was very gracious when she
explained that her hands were
tied. I ended up living in
the 'hood until I left Seattle.
And I never did become any kind of
hip kid. So far as I know.

(2008)