Bite Off the Roses

That twelve-year old girl sure knows how to flirt
She gets all her cues from popular noise
She's fond of that line 'bout "hiking the skirt"
She's eager to blow her future on boys

Sneak out with Denise to charm some rich squirt
Who, she's sensing, would rather she be someone else
Moonlight finds them dragging her through the dirt
Face up on a skateboard, strapped on by belts

Fruit flies in her hair; bile stains on her shirt;
Eyes bloodshot through lashes stucco'd with mud;
Pinesap on her arm; I.V. starts to spurt
Nurse says they found .31 in her blood

Bite off the roses in my head
Stuff my pillowcase with lead
Shove my wings deep underground
Bite off the roses in my head
Stuff my pillowcase with lead
And shattered things