We’re a long long way
From Crawdad Creek
And we’re hardly recognizable
As southerners go
But a blistering hand
On a machete
Cutting cane as tall
As the corn grows
Proves the sun
Stays out of your eyes
‘Til you see the cool sugar

Thump thump thump thump
“You’ve been here too long”

Thump thump thump thump
“You’re rent has not been paid”

Thump thump thump thump
“We’ve turned off your utilities”

Thump thump thump thump
“It is time for you to leave”

Thump thump thump thump
“I know you can hear me”

Thump thump thump thump
“It’s time to move on”

Thump thump thump thump
“You can’t stay here forever”

Thump thump thump thump

Thump thump thump thump

Thump thump thump thump

Your determination
To be overlooked
Is lethal

A cutting
For sure

And I don’t think you’re stuck
I think you’re pregnant
With your own woe

A cutting
For sure

On the edge of lonely
You teeter and teeth
Settled as rain

A cutting
For sure

And I think I’ll faint
If you choose to end it
Anytime soon

A cutting
For sure

I’m starting to resent
Having to re-parent adults
Adults who think it is ok
To scowl and whine and dodge
To act less than they should

I want to say, “People have eyes
They can see you
Have some self-respect”

I’m starting to resent
Telling her to get along with her
Telling him to hit his deadlines
Telling her to step up or step out
Telling him to do his job

I want to say, “People have eyes
They can see you
Have some self-respect”

I’m starting to resent
My team taking advantage of my kindness
My team not holding each other accountable
My team being petty petty petty petty
My team dimming their bright bright light

I want to say, “People have eyes
They can see you
Have some self-respect”

I’m starting to resent
Leadership development
It’s so great when leaders delight in it
But hell when they drag their feet
I’d rather not force growth

If you don’t want to drink deep
Get out of the line to the water fountain

I won’t make room for the sea today
It’s dark there
And I have this little trickle of light
That I am happy about
I’m happy about what might be
And this, you all well know, is a breath

I don’t think
Everyday is a poem
Not at all
Not in my experience
I think
It is a matter
Of access

For beauty
And mystery
And meaning
Must at least
Be held
In the mind’s eye
To some degree

And some days
Miserable days
Close the roads
Close the roads
And lock the gates
Lock the gates
And build a moat

So
There’s a french fry under my desk
Funny thing is
I’ve never eaten a meal in my office
I eat out
Or in the cafeteria
While they have served fries
From time to time
They serve those thick crinkle fries
The one under my desk
Is long and skinny
So
What’s new with you

When you pull away the dome
And I see past the glass
As you see, see and know
Damn it! I trust you.

It’s not your smoke. It’s mine.
It’s not your cloak. It’s mine.
It’s not your shield. It’s mine.
It’s not your veil. It’s mine.

When you pull away the dome
And I see past the glass
As you see, see and know
Damn it! I trust you.

Can you find beauty in the bootless
Can you find posture in the prick
Can you note solace in the abject
Can you note rhythm in the mist

No. Probably not
Cause Tabitha reeks of purple
And you need purple
And you will have purple

Can you find person in the avail
Can you find humble in the thick
Can you note pleasure in the daylight
Can you note respite in the lisp

No. Probably not
Cause Tabitha reeks of purple
And you need purple
And you will have purple

And tomorrow you won’t like this
You will say it is further proof
Of something you’ve not liked about me all along

And I’m prepared for it really
‘Cause you have a sure-fire way
Of mocking the dragon flies on my insect board