monica by Dan Bern

 
  i remember monica 
  at the u.s. open
  she mighta been 16
  could'nt've been much more
  answering some questions
  and giggling, i'd never seen 
  someone so alive on tv before.
  
  do you remember monica
  shrieking on her backhand
  disguising herself when she went
     out at night
  coloring her hair
  like something was telling her 
  lay low, invisible, and out 
     of sight
  
  and then, monica,
  the blade came, monica
  like god spitting on you, a knife
     in your back
  we saw it in the paper
  then moved on to other things
  but for you all the colors, fade
     to black
  
  chorus:
  and oh, monica
  there you are, monica
  on the cross with jesus and
     martin luther king
  just like john lennon, by that hotel
  you have to pay for our sins
  
  was it like being raped
  was it like being dead
  like a bad movie over and over again
  and then, did everyone who came close
     to you 
  suddenly hold a knife in the hand
  
  and now you're back, monica
  grim and hammering
  trying not to think about that
     thing, then
  and i hope that you win
  every medal you can win
  but it might never be much fun again.
  
  and oh, monica
  there you are, monica
  on the cross with jesus and
     martin luther king
  just like john lennon, by that hotel
  you have to pay for our sins
  

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