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

Preoccupation is such a bruise
Proof of would be pain
And I hate it

Preoccupation is a dream-stealer
Just set me free already
I’ll take my licks

Preoccupation is killing me
One talk at a time
With the waiting

Preoccupation is my undoing
Exhausting all day long
I pray for rest

Leaving came to the door
Called through the screen
Didn’t wanna let her in
Cause of the heat and mosquitoes
She’s a southern lady
With bless your heart spite
And a trunk full of tires
And a sour whiskey pint

And she’s dancing ’round you
Taunting and rude
Mind your mad wandering eyes
Cause she’s sure to take them with her
She’s a rare she-devil
With the stench of the tired
And the sound of a wave goodbye
Like strangers sharing a light

How could this happen to you
You’re not weak
You don’t lack assertiveness
You bend, sure
But you don’t know how
To be broken like this
You’re not going to make it
You’re not going to thrive
Without a little bounce back
Without some sort of comeback
So what’s the plan
What’s the long game
Where’s your drive, Man
What are you without nerve
What’s your play here
It’s your move
And everyone is watching

RING
So says the moment
After the detonation
Slow-motion explosion
Limbs falling like the rain
RING

RING
But not this egress
Cause war-torn countries are known
As crippled and fleeing
Looking for a safe house
RING

RING
Like the tower bells
Or the wind chimes in the spring
Full opposite effect
Pulls a force together
RING

RING
City on the rise
In line behind the piper
Abuzz abuzz abuzz
Exactly what we pine
RING

Loneliness has two dimples
One above to the right of the smile
The other down below on the backside
Tips a hat and charms ya, it does
With a fog and a Jack and a city subdued
Then drops-trou and blinds you
With the crack of many jokes at your expense
And you done lallygagged solo in a silo
Til your courtin’ cozy
With Cadillacs and cats
And capers and crayons
And cozies and cataracts
It makes you wanna live a little, don’t it?
Cause nobody would choose it
Cause nobody would smile back