We Smoked
13AUG
Even in the new office we smoked
Marlboros long and strong
Until tobacco smells covered
The odor of fear and sweat
That was always present.
Marlboros long and strong
Until tobacco smells covered
The odor of fear and sweat
That was always present.
Even in the jail we smoked
With clients whom we had little to offer
Except a real cigarette as opposed to
The rolled Drum that was their only
Source of nicotine and comfort.
With clients whom we had little to offer
Except a real cigarette as opposed to
The rolled Drum that was their only
Source of nicotine and comfort.
Even in the courthouse we smoked
In the stairwells and hallways
In the jury rooms and holding cells
And the smoke lingered in the rooms
Where the judges stood guard.
In the stairwells and hallways
In the jury rooms and holding cells
And the smoke lingered in the rooms
Where the judges stood guard.
Even in your last room we smoked
While you gasped for air and said goodbye.
I took you to the parlor across the street
They burned your body and I watched
The smoke rise from the chimney out my office window.27
While you gasped for air and said goodbye.
I took you to the parlor across the street
They burned your body and I watched
The smoke rise from the chimney out my office window.27
DEC
Worthless oaks, encased in glass
withered roots still holding fast.
A memory of a changing time
broken bones and endless rhymes.
Caring through the long lost years
shedding bits of broken tears
all through tiime and endless space
just to catch one glimpse–a face.
Traveling onward, ever caring
ever conscious of the load I’m bearing
Moving cross the desolate lands
over barren hills and endless sands
just to bring my hopes to you
of love that never will be through.
Shattered bits of broken trees
tells of a love never given to me.
CHECK OUT TIME
When it’s time to check out
When it’s time to go
Will you hear me complaining
About fate? No.
But don’t let me leave life
From a room full of flowers
With family and friends
Coming round every hour.
Please don’t make me hear
Hollow words of sympathy
Or refuse to disclose
Intimate details of the disease
I don’t want to see fear
In my loved one’s eyes
Or watch them make plans contingent
On when I might die.
Will there be pain?
Will there be sorrow?
Will I be missed?
Or remembered tomorrow?
Tried healing bitter wounds
Not wanting to hear
The anguished old cries
Of those I hold dear.
Their life will go on
My pain will soon cease
Once urged to fight
I now seek release.
Some will be glad they outlived me
But others will soon realize
While they must continue the struggle
All I had to do was die.
(1999)
The Ides of March (1996)
19DEC
There’s a buzz in the kitchen There’s a buzz on the porch
There’s a baby in the oven There’s a baby born in March
Shrimp on the table Fishes in the sea
Market in the morning Dinner on the Key
Hope to have us a future
Already got us a past
Hope to have us a future
Gonna make this one last
This Florida lifestyle Is making me sweat
Wanna make something happen Hasn’t happened yet
Scandals in the paper Nonsense in the air
Talk all around Lies everywhere
Used to look forward
Now we look back
Used to make plans
Now we just laugh
There’s some new folk a coming Some new folk here soon
Some old folk a leaving Done all they can do
Houses all built Streets all paved
Water’s all gone What’s left to save?
I remember a time
Our own special place
Now and then there’s a smile
Coming over our face
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