i know you could-and would-read them to me . it is thick , old wood , hard as iron , and it burns hot . of course the woman ca n't see you . if you need any more truth in your life , white boy , than that ? '' she lifted her foot and tapped the side of the toilet with her sneaker 's toe . 10 i stared out at the men in the street , but kept to the shadows . 97 bottles of beer on the wall . just doing my best to stay out of trouble . '' 