He used to hug them all
And could spot right from wrong
Fairness was His sixth sense
And it poured from him so smoothly
And we all could count on him
To pour velvet from the mouth
At just the right time
Such that the room would coo
Such that the tide would turn

But now the job builds walls
Not from heart but from space
He doesn’t always know
Who sits on right – Who sits on wrong
So he needs an inner sense
An old tool out of the belt
At just the right time
The gaze that reads the room
The gaze that knows the soul

He knows who hung the moon
Quite well and he’ll do fine
Cause any lack can soar
On the arrow of an archer
And history will hold him
As one who knew no mire
At just the right time
He will become known by
He will become known for

I’m about to spill it
To the white beard

I’ve learned not to put a lot of stock into it
Bridled hope is still hope, I think

I don’t know if I have enough strength
To guide the gallop or follow the map

I suppose my intended outcome is simply “better”
‘Cause I don’t want to drive today

All I know is that there is only one gear
For most of us these days, I fear

When we hold hands
You can’t snap at me
And maybe that’s it
Maybe that’s why
You numb me so

Drape me with cloaks
Heavy – dark – sound proof
I’m deaf and alone
Maybe that’s why
You numb me so

I am empty
Out of strength and time
Out of light and drive
Maybe that’s why
You numb me so

You need the inner voice
To hear gold in the simple

I was sold
To an old lady
Who needed work done
In her yard

You need the inner voice
To hear gold in the simple

I moved rocks
One pile to the next
From morning to night
All alone

You need the inner voice
To hear gold in the simple

Save the dog
Who watched me mostly
Didn’t offer help
Or friendship

You need the inner voice
To hear gold in the simple

And I’m not
Better for the work
I learned no lessons
Just passed time

You need the inner voice
To hear gold in the simple

They all leave
Isn’t that
How the curse goes
Isn’t that
A one and a two and a three

There will be 11 left
After I sell you

They all leave
Said with punch
Like a spit take
Said with punch
And a rapid rat-a-tat-tat

There will be 11 left
After I sell you

They all leave
Final words
Dripping with spite
Final words
A desperate grasping for straws

There will be 11 left
After I sell you

Both
If asking is what we’re doing
Then I petition
For both
This and that
A blessing
And a second
A gift
And more
It cannot be selfish
Now with 1000 hills
And even if refused
1000 hills still
So both
If asking is what we’re doing
Both and all

There’s grey in the cotton
And I tend to blame the rain
So work into the night
And get what we can
Those with strong backs
Bend from the waist
And those who can’t
Shimmy ‘long like a snake
And drag those bags
70-80 pounds a piece
And watch for weevils
And watch for thieves

Yum has great pull
More than philanthropy
The pleasure of the palate
In my house – in this house
Has a stronger pull
Than riches or dreams
Than future or breeze
In truth, there are worse things
In truth, it is surmountable

I align with this sea change
I welcome it and I love it
Though there was once a rough day
I lost track of the ship

When every sidewalk cracked
When every tightrope slacked
When every heart attacked
When every deck was stacked

Sea death buzzards flew around
Circling and looping scavengers
In the carcass – at the head
Breaking bones – tearing flesh

When every sidewalk cracked
When every tightrope slacked
When ever heart attacked
When every deck was stacked

I’m licking a new flavor
I’m tasting the salt on the waves
And I’m caring less and less
About sunrise – sunset

When every sidewalk cracked
When every tightrope slacked
When ever heart attacked
When every deck was stacked

Excuse me
Your unhappy is showing
And it looks like
You have an issue with me

However
On close examination
The indictment
Lands at your God’s feet mainly

I am not
The one who snaps my fingers
That turns the tide
Or causes your world to shake

But know that
My shoulders are big enough
To take the blame
Until you figure it out

Quite simply
You’re disappointed with life
And I’m sorry
You must learn to deal with that