1974

I arrived late in Butte Montana.
After driving most of the day
11:45 the bartender shouted ‘Last Call’.
as Gram Parsons played on the jukebox.

A week ago I walked into the kitchen.
A towel wrapped around my waist.
No sign of Mona. Only a burning egg.
A note said don’t follow her to Bozeman.
But she never liked that town

12:55 last call in Butte, Montana
I got a whiskey and one beer
No sign on Mona
But I kept on seeing her everywhere.

Lakeside, Malta, Shelby, and Great Falls
I saw her I saw her I saw a mirage
In Helena, Garrison, but not no one in Deer Lodge
And there was only one place she was bound to be.

Not to Big Timber, Livingston, or Bozeman
Only one place she was going to go.

Last call in Butte, Montana
One whiskey, one beer
1:45 and no sign on Mona
But my eyes keep expecting her here.

My wife liked the lights at the M&M.
Mona liked the cowboys too.
I showed the bartender her photo
He said, “Two night ago he came through.”
And then she was gone.”
I nodded my head and finished my drinks

Last call in Butte, Montana
One whiskey, one beer

1:55 no sign on Mona
But my eyes keep expecting her here.
Last call in Butte, Montana
One whiskey, one beer
No sign on Mona
Even if my eyes keep seeing her here.
“She might have gone to Missoula.
Women like her like it there just fine.”
I drop $5 on the bar and left the M&M Bar.
Still hurting from her leaving
And wanting to know why
But no one gets all the answers.

2:05 after last call in Butte, Montana
No more whiskey. No more beer.
No sign of Mona.
But only a fool would have thought she was here.

And I am a big one.