Some people came into the bookstore Bought books or didn’t buy books
Left piles of them on the counter Bookstore still fighting union attempt
But there was a time It felt cool Cultural cred To stand behind the register
To walk the aisle Shelving books Joseph Erika & I slipping out
for lunch Red and Green curries Pad Kee Mao Sometimes
I’d lag behind So I could go to Jackpot Records or Ozone Records
Then they moved Then closed Then reopened It wasn’t the same Was it?
In Portland Was this Before or after the car was stolen? I can’t remember
I think Joseph drove a Subaru A bunch of us From the bookstore Drove to Seattle
To see Belle & Sebastion I can’t remember Where we stayed I don’t think it was raining
We talked About leaving The bookstore Leaving Portland Getting on with our lives
We were young Feeling trapped Feeling bored Feeling impetuous