Rooster’s in the henhouse with his feather’s all mussed the hay-barn is burning and the milk’s gone sour It’s harvesting time but the whole crop’s a bust And that’s the third thunderstrike I’ve heard in the past half-hour Been up for three days in a drippin cold-sweat I called for a doctor and they sent me a vet I’m losing my livelihood along with a bet and I ain’t even had my coffee yet the ship’s hit an ice-berg and the radio’s down the captain’s in the crow’s nest trying to get drunk Nero’s somewhere fiddling, and we’re all gonna drown somebody send an S.O.S.—we’re sunk! Throw out your preservers, cast wide your net We gonna need all the mother-lovin luck that we can get We’re in the middle of nowhere, and I’m all wet— And I ain’t even had my coffee yet Private detective’s in his best disguise He’s already taken a few incriminating photographs He’s got the evidence to prove whatever the defendant denies He caught the guy with his secretary, takin a bath A lady pulls up in her ex-husband’s corvette As the private I.’s lighting his last cigarette She asks if it’s done—he says, “We’re all set— And I ain’t even had my coffee yet” Productivity’s down, and the factory’s pinched Management doesn’t know what to do The union fellas won’t surrender an inch And the strike ain’t nowhere near being through The thing to remember is that no-one forgets If it’s a do-or-die matter, I say “Let’s!” Every time I answer the phone, it’s a brand new threat And I ain’t even had my coffee yet Alarm clock went off first thing in the morning Didn’t even get the paper before I heard the news Neighbors were outside in their bathrobes quarreling Election’s over and half the nation’s singing the blues Sweep the confetti from your TV sets Better call up your friends and forgive them their debts The sun’s barely up, I’m full of regrets— And I ain’t even had my coffee yet

The way that an amputee misses his limb After the doctor has sawn it from him Leaving him only the scar of his skin With which he must try to adapt Or the way that an arrow that’s aimed at the heart Of some would-be lover alone in the dark Can near and so narrowly still miss the mark Hitting some bystander’s back Or the way that a jury can believe what it wants having just received all of the facts I miss you—I miss you—I miss you—like that The way that a baby cries for the breast Of the woman who maybe has sins to confess Whose feeling her worst when she’s doing her best For whom smiling’s part of the act Or the way that a shipwreck wants to be saved From his raft on the water where he’s drifted for days Where he can still get a signal on his radio wave But cannot explain where he’s at Or the way that a mackerel still goes for the hook, even knowing that it’s just a trap I want you—I want you—I want you—like that The way that a parachute needs to unfold As soon as the cord is reached for and pulled Without which there’d be nothing else to grab hold And no time for you to react Or the way that a candleflame requires a wick That isn’t too slender and isn’t too thick If the flame isn’t going to burn out too quick Leaving only a puddle of wax Or the way that an inntertube needs to be patched, or replaced when the wheel has gone flat I need you—I need you—I need you—Like that The way that a meteor dies in its birth Destroying itself in its fall to the earth Whose cinder is studied, given value and worth According to what’s left in tact Or the way that a fine wine never expires The way satisfaction never desires The way I’m perpetually caught in the wires Like some circus ring acrobat Or the way that an answer can be extremely precise without being at all exact I love you—I love you—I love you—like that

Your heart is set on leaving me—What am I supposed to say? So long, I guess the pleasure’s all been mine There’s no sense in deceiving me—it hurts, but I’ll be okay Wounds have a way of healing, in good time I spose I should be thanking you, for at least giving me a try I know that a good man is hard to find Tell me that you’re going now, but don’t let’s say goodbye Just in case you ever change your mind— I wouldn’t want to influence—your sterling wherewithal Nobody knows you better than yourself I wouldn’t know just what to do with a splintered crystal ball But what good’s it doing resting on your shelf? You were burning in your eagerness, too confident to fail And yet the humor in the gloom you couldn’t find So I’ll put my house in order and blaze you out a trail Just in case you ever change your mind Sometimes, when it begins to rain, I think of how we met You called me by some name that wasn’t mine and then, as you explained to me that you meant no disrespect you hinted that perhaps it was a sign— It seems like only yesterday, I remember it so clear It felt as though the planets had aligned Well, Fare thee well, and take good care; if you need me, I’ll be here— Just in case you ever change your mind The gavel’s fell like pistol shots, the jury has come in At some verdict it’s presumed they have arrived But nevermind the circumstance; we both know where we’ve been Our love was just some trial we survived With the option to be merciful, you clung on to your grudge You said I was too rude, too unrefined A wiser man than I once said “Don’t be so quick to judge, just in case you ever change your mind—”

I done some things in my day that let me just say were a little less than easy to do I been hard-pressed and hard-up on a hard-road with hard-luck, been hard-hearted one time or two Troubles, trials, tribulations, tragedies I’ve had me a few But the hardest thing I ever done was easier’n lovin you I believe I broke the record for the longest second-look I’d have to check again, though, to see if it’s still in the Guinness book The feat may sound incredible to some, but to me it ain’t nothing new Cause the hardest thing I ever done was easier’n lovin you You got a way about you babe, that just don’t know when to quit You joined up on the losing side but defeat you just can’t admit I chose to do without them when fate offered me her jewels I ate from the tree of knowledge knowing full well it was against the rules I was sentenced to hard labor and now my freedom’s overdue But the hardest thing I ever done was easier’n loving you I resisted false temptation when it advertised its bliss I beat the devil at his own board-game in the wide open wilderness I lashed myself upon the mainmast so I could hear the sirens coo But the hardest thing I ever done was easier’n lovin you You got a way about you babe, you just don’t know when you’re wrong I tell you to let go of me but you just keep on hanging on— I made wings of wax and feathers and I flapped em towards the sun when I was still ascending the heat went ahead and melted em as deep into the sea I sank as high above the world I flew but the hardest thing I ever done was easier’n lovin you I climbed up Jacob’s ladder just to see what I could see I went down into the underworld to try to set my spirit free I held the world upon my shoulders just so Atlas could use the loo But the hardest thing I ever done was eaiser’n lovin you I ain’t sayin I don’t love you, or that you ain’t worth no regard All I’m trine to tell you babe is that sometimes lovin you is hard— I fought the famous hydra with nothing but a pocket knife If it hadn’t been such slow going I might’ve gone and lost my life For every head that I cut off, in its place three more grew But the hardest thing I ever done was easier’n lovin you Now I’ve heard that love is patient, and I’ve heard that love is kind I’ve heard that love hopes and bears all things; I’ve even heard that love is blind— But when weighed in my own experience, I know this much is true: the hardest thing I ever done was easier’n lovin you

before the panelist of scientists / I stood defending poetry Reciting words I’d overheard / From a magician doing sorcery falling short of proof in court / I surrendered to His Majesty When the jester laughed, I removed his hat / As he praised me my humility the case dismissed from consciousness / I resumed my daily alchemy Sticks and stones may break your bones / But words—can change your destiny As battles raged—a squire’s page / Was charged with this delivery: To spread the news his side would lose / Without help supplied immediately On his master’s horse he wound a course / Beyond his country’s boundary And story goes, he took to prose / And now he writes tales for posterity What became of the page’s name / To this day remains a mystery Sticks and stones may break your bones / But words—can alter history Wind and fog and somewhere, God, / At the beginning of eternity, commandingly said, “Let there be…” / And each question became a certainty And there was light to pierce the night / Where darkness filled each cavity An unseen jaw dispensing law / For motion and for gravity— And life commenced impermanence / While Death dealt with the converse Sticks and stones may break your bones / But words—can build a universe In days of youth I longed for truth / About love especially, I was curious But what I know now of Love’s know-how / I only learned through inexperience Foolish tries and compromise / Convinced me love was just a hindrance More than to win her, what I should prefer / Is to forget or return to ignorance “He’s mad!” you’ll say, “to feel this way—” / And I’d agree with you, regrettably Sticks and stones can break your bones / But words—can wound a man, irreparably I did my best and knew success / It seemed a painless interlude Between two wars in which the scores / Had been irrevocably misconstrued Once the ghosts resumed their posts / In the countries of their summoning I spent what I’d made in the king’s parade / And departed to my homecoming The bridges crossed, my papers were lost, tho I wouldn’t say I lack them currently Sticks and stones can break your bones / But words—are like a currency When asked to play, I said okay / Tho in preparing, I was meticulous And before I’d sung, the bell had rung / And I’d been announced ridiculous And for my prize I was ostracized / And was made to sign a covenant but once I had, I didn’t feel so bad / to entertain them would have been a punishment And now I’ve chewed on solitude / So long it tastes like venison Sticks and stones may break your bones / But words—can be a medicine did a so-called crime and I paid my time / Tho the offense was considered minimal When I got released, I thought, “I’m free, at least…” / But folks still took me for a criminal I tried and tried my past to hide / Thought I’d escape from it eventually But people talked and my way was blocked / Now I’m back at the penitentiary My freedom earned, my lesson learned / I’ll tell you what now, society— That sticks and stones may break your bones / But words—shape reality

The D.A.’s on the front porch / with the landlord behind him Eviction notice / has been nailed to the door Their knocking and pounding / disrupts someone calling: “With what can I bargain when I am so poor?” They go in and come out / dragging a person Old man in a bathrobe / half-naked and crine D.A. says “I’m sorry” / but he says it smiling— “Each man’s got his labor / and don’t I got mine?” You can call it your labor to ease your conscience Call it your duty if it’ll help you sleep tight Call it your career if you can’t tell the difference But callin it your job, boss—won’t make it right The warden’s a bastard / he’s a stickler for details Heaven have mercy / when he makes his patrol If he finds so much as / a sheet that’s been wrinkled You can bet that you’ll all spend / a night in the hole He says that he loves us / there’s no need to fear him He’d prefer we reserve all / our fear for his God But I fear whoever / does evil so easily And thinks that he’s only / doing a job Chorus The police have shown up / in outrageous numbers Armed in their helmets / with their nightsticks and shields The protesters marching / are righteously singing “we haven’t come this far / to turn back or yield” They bring out a firehose / and turn it upon us Transforming the marchers / into some kind of mob Who is it you officers / swore to defend and protect? When you put on your uniform / and made this your job? chorus The army recruiters / are down on the corner They’re telling young kids bout / the splendors of war They’re showing their medals / and telling their stories I’d just like to ask them / what they’re fighting for Some fight cause they have to / cause they’re under fire Cause they’re being bullied / and they don’t get a say But some think it’s their duty / some think it’s the right thing To blindly take orders / and collect your pay (the American Way) Chorus The judge in his tower / is looking down meanly He’s raising his gavel / and drawing his breath He announces the sentence / he does it routinely “You’ve been proven guilty / and your penalty’s death” He won’t say he’s sorry / he hasn’t got pity “Whatever you done, now, that’s between you and God,” When he arrives home, the judge will sleep soundly Assuring himself he’s just doing his job chorus

In 1492 Chris Columbus and his crew Discovered folks a living in some islands to the west He promised to be kind, but he went and changed his mind Made most of them his slaves and put the rest of em to death If I didn’t know any better I’d suppose Perhaps the terms of his agreement wasn’t heard, heard, heard But it’s a getting late—how long you wanna wait For you admit that the promise was just words, words, words? In 1838 Andrew Jackson did create A paper sayin that the natives would receive their promised land Made a reservation zone, drove em into Oklahome Leaving Cherokee and chocktaw blood in the Mississippi sand If I didn’t know any better I’d suppose That the lyin simply couldn’t have endured, -dured, -dured But it’s a getting late—how long you wanna wait For you admit that the promise was just words, words, words? In 1864—trine to end the civil war Mr. Lincoln signed a paper sayin all slaves would be free Soon as he let em go—in came the Old Jim Crow And the rest, I’m sure you know, is US history If I didn’t know any better, I’d suppose That the promise has only been deferred –ferred –ferred But it’s a getting late—how long you wanna wait Fore you admit that a promise is just words, words, words In August ’45—trine to keep his own alive Harry Truman told the Japanese, “this fighting’s gotta stop,” Any more lives bein spent, he said he would try to prevent— Then he loaded up his atom bombs, said “Fellas, let em drop—” If I didn’t know—any better I’d suppose That the promise was always bein urged, urged, urged But it’s a getting late, how long you wanna wait Fore you admit that the promise was just words, words, words? In 1954, in a case called Brown v. Board The Supreme Court said that public schools must integrate their kids They took their time, of course, with getting it enforced And fore anything could happen, it was like nothing ever did If I didn’t know any better I’d suppose That the ruling sounded too good to’ve occurred, -curred, -curred But it’s getting late, how long you gonna wait For you admit that the promise was just words, words, words? In 1964, hungry for another war, Lyndon Johnson said a US ship had been hit by Viet Cong And though it was a lie, he still sent troops to die In the name of keeping communism out of Vietnam If I didn’t know any better I’d suppose That what ain’t democratic ain’t preferred, -ferred, -ferred But it’s a getting late, how long you wanna wait For you admit that democracy’s a word, word, word In 1982 Ronald Regan, tride and true, Said he’d increased public safety and on crime he waged a war For him, tho, being safe—had to do with class and race— Most of the folks he rounded up were young and black and poor If I didn’t know any better I’d suppose That the promise aimed to keep us all secured, -cured, -cured But it’s a getting late, how long you gonna wait For you admit that the promise was just words, words, words? In 1992 the war on crime and drugs just grew Mr. Clinton said he had a plan and it would be unfurled He built prisons left and right, filled em practically overnight Now the US has more prisoners than any nation in the world If I didn’t know—any better I’d suppose That the lockdown was a bad dream that emerged, merged, merged But it’s a getting late, how long you wanna wait For you admit that the promise was just words, words, words? In 2001, weapons of mass destruction Was the reason Mr. Bush supplied to re-invade Iraq The nukes were never found, but the country was torn down and US oil prices were a little lower after that If I didn’t know any better I’d suppose That the promise didn’t sound quite so absurd, -surd, -surd But it’s a getting late, how long you wanna wait For you admit that the promise was just words, words, words? Now this song could go on, and on and on and on The lies my leaders told me are too numerous to name But I’m a getting tired, my patience is expired As we move into the future, the song will be the same If I didn’t know any better I’d suppose That a government, in all things, should be just, just, just But it’s a getting late, how long you wanna wait For you admit if it’ll be just it’ll have to be up to us?

Yes, there’s a storm a comin, it’s on the Times front page With a black and white photo of some kind of giant tidal wave On account of how everybody’s gone ahead and behaved The street preacher’s wound-up, screaming none will be saved “By the pharaoh’s order,” cries the fouled referee, “There’s a new law round here says that the curfew will be From ten in the morning til quarter past three Anybody outside after that’s gonna haveta answer to me!” you better get your name cleared, Bluebeard, fore they make you walk the plank Better call off your watchdogs, General, fore they all pull rank You better get your children, Mama, bow your head and give thanks You better grow your hair long, Samson—you gonna need your strength You’re tween a rock and a hardplace they’re still trying to construct When the bombs fall, Know-It-All, you better have the good sense to duck At the rodeo, John Doe, keep your seat on that truck and bring along your timepiece, Maurice, you gonna need some luck well everyone’s getting bored, but I’ve already had me a few Better take a knee, Bruce Lee, if you need something to do It’s a sure-thing, Sherlock, but you ain’t got a clue Aw, get out of here, Shakespeare—nobody asked you Chorus Jumpin Jupiter, Lucifer, what’s become of your pride? Didn’t anybody tell you that the sooth-sayer lied? For a sheckel, Dr. Jeckyll, we can go for a ride I’ll show you someplace remote where you can lay low and hide Now I’m no Houdini and I’m no Jesse James But you’re gonna need brass keys, Ulysses, to get out of them chains You better smell the roses, Moses, and talk some sense to these brains Otherwise all of your guys is gonna wind up changing their trains Chorus Grow your hair long, Samson—til it’s down to your knees Grow your hair long, Samson—til it’s long as you please Grow your hair long, Samson—til it’s at full-length Grow your hair long, Samson—you gonna need your strength The doctor’s in the dentist’s chair, his tooth’s getting pulled— Your wienereimer, Oppenheimer, has come down with a cold I tried calling the police, the operator put me on hold I can see your cards, Beauregard, if I were you I would fold The captain’s gone AWOL on some binocular tour With a lady in sales he met at the marine supply store When the saloonkeeper’s drunk he’ll give everyone a free pour But you better get it while you can fore he ain’t drunk anymore Chorus Fare thee well, Rafael, I guess you done pretty good They did their best to imitate you, but none of them could Ahab took a stab and saw what was under the hood Then he tried to say it in English—no one understood Goldilocks needs help, she’s got her hand caught in the hive You better be heartfelt, Mrs. Roosevelt, when you write those boys’ wives You gonna need an editor, Senator, to keep talking that jive It’s neither heroes nor villians, it’s just the lucky survive Chorus

Who, mama, who is that great giant yonder Who stands twenty times taller than any tree? My child, my child, yonder’s America They call her the Statue of Liberty What, mama, what is that big giant tower That starts on the ground and disappears in the air? My child, my child, that’s just a skyscraper You’ll probably be seeing them round here everywhere What, mama, what is that long silver bullet That’s snaking around on that bridge up above My child, my child, that’s only the subway We’ll be riding on that train soon enough Where, mama, where did you say we were going? How long must we wait in this subway station? My child, my child, we’re heading to Manhattan To the US Office of Immigration Who, mama, who is that ragged man sleeping There on the curb, who’s just skin and bone? My child, my child, it’s only a hobo Don’t point your finger, just leave him alone Who, mama, who is that finely dressed person Who’s fat as a king, and only short of a crown My child, my child, that’s a rich, wealthy banker Get out of his way or he’ll mow you right down Why, mama, why are some people so hungry Meanwhile there’s others that look rich in their clothes? My child, my child, I don’t know the reason I don’t have an answer, God only knows Who, mama, who is that man with the night-stick And why is that other man being beaten by him? My child, my child, that’s only the police In America they arrest you for having dark skin Where, mama, where, mama—where will they take him? will they take him to a doctor to treat his wounds and his sores? My child, my child, they’re taking him to prison In America that’s what they do with their poor Ain’t mama, ain’t, mama—ain’t this a free country? Aren’t people here given value and worth? My child, my child—it’s only for some folks— There’s more prisoners here than anyplace on the earth Why, mama, why, mama—why did we come here? What in the world did we leave our home for? My child, my child—it just wasn’t safe there Our country’s is facing genocide and war Here mama, here mama, here is the building I will wait for you here, steadfast and strong My child, my child, I’ll just be a minute I will go and come back—it shouldn’t take long Why mama, why, mama—why are you crying? Where did they tell you that we may reside? My child, my child, they gave me no answer But that our request to live here has been denied Why, mama, why can’t we live in America? Are there too many people? Is there not enough land? My child, my child, it’s the people in charge here They hate and they fear what they don’t understand When, mama, when will we be accepted? When will this hatred be brought to a close? My child, my child—I don’t have an answer I don’t have an answer, God only knows

You crossed a black cat’s path / when you encountered me Somebody should have said / this here was a carnival The only way out again’s / back through the livingroom Which you were just driven from / on account of your destiny You, with your vacant heart / throwing your weight around Just like you owned the joint / or like you knew someone Making your crass remarks / into their fold-out smiles As all of their watches chimed / and somewhere a sailor drowned Tears like a jet-streamed sky / raking your made-up face I caught a glimpse of you / inside the hallway meer You looked like a vagabond / you looked like a stolen wife Or what is the word for it? / you looked simply out of place And as the hostess rose / shouting her lover’s name Crying for ornaments / and for a tablecloth I saw how you fell apart / then gathered up yourself You puttem all to shame, you puttem all to shame II Just as the matador / flung off his captain’s cape in preparation for / some kind of ritual the astronaut cleared his throat / as if he would make a toast then he restrained himself / with a whole roll of plumber’s tape “I don’t care what the bible says,” / shouted the bathroom stall addressing the minister / distributing sacraments Out of a purse he stole / out of the parsonage Pardoning pilferage / at no extra charge at all Back at the ranch meanwhile / nobody’d moved a bone The sheriff was flinging cards / into a hangman’s noose The deputy watched a fly / buzzin around the room Drew back the velvet drapes / looked out at a parking cone A fat lady stood and belched / saluted the flag and sang: Somewhere a child is born / somewhere a child dies Nobody looks at you / they don’t think you’re beautiful But you puttem all to shame / you puttem all to shame You puttem all to shame, just like a needle plunging into a vein That carries the antidote that’s full of the cure from the heart to the brain You puttem all to shame— III Lord Alfred makes his rounds / handing out red balloons Asking for tickets, please / saying Please Watch Your Step Producing a handkerchief / dripping with turpentine Peddling silverware / and stopping to smell the fumes The emperor’s crown’s been caught / over the mantelpiece A bystander claimed it was / made out of mistletoe Lonely men gathered round / waiting for girls to come The pianist blew trombone / his requiem masterpiece The sofa is filling up / like it was a safety boat With politician’s wives / and the offspring of janitors There was a pack of dogs / I think they were Sherlock Holmes’ Charging the drawbridge doors / molesting an overcoat And you in your pleated skirt / looking so torn apart How did your hair get wet? / it’s not even raining out I could have kissed you then / you would have hated me You puttem all to shame, you puttem all to shame IV Up at the podium / the weatherman prophesies all bets are off this year / blaming technology The postman has been delayed / due to the hurricane Just then some legs walked in / in search of a centipede the judge entered, wig-and-all / some people stood and cheered others threw fruit at him / others forget-me-nots his gavel was in his hand / his sword hanging by his side his breath smelled of bubblegum / bacon grease in his beard and people have asked before / what is it I see in you I always respond to them / well isn’t it obvious? You held a parasol / under a chandelier You lit your cigarette / in the coals of a barbecue It was your corkscrew gaze / meeting my tailspin frame that was the moment when / I knew you were the one they were the best of theirs / you were no match for them you put em all to shame / you puttem all to shame you puttem all to shame, just like a lost child that nobody claims whose manifest radiance is offered to everyone and then goes down the drain V serpentine pedagogues / brandishing chilled vermouth using their intellects / as if they were hand-grenades Sodom is burning down / there’s firetrucks everywhere And Socrates’ dies tonight / for trying to corrupt the youth head like a pile of rocks / face like a punching-bag nobody thinks I’m cute / narcissus vainly wines he asks the river who / is fairest of them all? the one with the stupid hat / that looks like a launching-pad Mathematicians trade / stories with psychopaths About what is possible / in the grand scheme of things The psychopath wants to know / whether it’s feasible The metaphysicians claim / it really just basic math Eventually you’re convinced / Chess is a bachelor’s game The neighbors are victims of / suburban piracy Going from door to door / Showing their business-cards You puttem all to shame / you puttem all to shame VI you move through the marketplace / like you was a stranger there taking a hold of things / asking how much is this? If a wheelbarrow full of cash / is the price of a loaf of bread What will you pay to me / to relinquish my rockingchair? Or cut to the figurines / dancing in silhouette one dressed in corduroys / one in a diamond suit the princess of India / in the arms of a scalawag whose playing the fool tonight / trying to pirouette Down in the lower depths / beneath the catacombs Echoes of subway trains / hurtling overhead The hands of a claustrophobe / touching the hands of God Wound up in heavy chains / reaching for help and home Robin Hood checks his gauge / flawlessly changes lanes Everyone beeps at him / tells him where he can go From his perspective though / these are just bumper cars You puttem all to shame / you puttem all to shame VII I watched you donning masks / out in the alleyways Practicing tones of voice / under a crescent moon You were the mermaid queen / tossing a skipping stone Into a sea of sand / a valley of microwaves Someone was guiding me / they must’ve got lost, I guess Out in the wilderness / look at that burning bush I heard what sounded like / a wandering pack of wolves pathetically fingernailed / clawing a dead-man’s chest Next time I pass this way / better have your eyes peeled Stuck in their sockets like / they was a pair of bulbs I’ll be in desperate straits / I’ll be insane with grief Dragging a tire-swing / out of a potter’s field somebody threw himself / off the midnight Express they said it was suicide / it was indisputable nobody knew him though / he claimed to be everyone you puttem all to shame / you puttem all to shame VIII the referee’s missing tooth / turned up in a boxingglove that was inside the wedding-cake / they sent to the funeral the one that read: Warmst Regards / From All of Us Back Home depicting a concubine / dispensing a mother’s love and as the warden waits / examining old brochures that advertised Michigan / that spoke of an afterlife the inmates are at their bars / releasing their mourning doves that’re seen from the passing bus / offering city-tours Mother Teresa writes / in an old-fashioned style An overdue letter to / a boyfriend across the sea Enclosing a photograph / in which she is posing nude Saying, Next time you come / why don’t you stay awhile? And here’s Satan’s latest prize / the one with the swollen brain Riding the chariot / into the stadium’s mouth What are you waiting for? / who are you hiding from? you puttem all to shame / you puttem all to shame IX the inferno calmly climbs / up on a bail of hay Inviting martyrdom / down from its pedestal the difference tween them and you’s / same as the difference tween a woman that’s made of flesh / and one that’s just made of clay You came down the spiral stair / the way I’ve seen waterfall Or like a shooting star / or like sinking hope you had your hat on square / all perpendicular you spoke in pentameter / like some kind of know it all suddenly here we are / inside the final ring Here at the empty room / here at the final hour Traitors are telling lies / trying to avoid the blame Elderly couples sit / fondly remembering I wrote, “Dear Beatrice,” / like I had forgot your name Composing my epitaph / using a ball-point pen and for the hundredth time / inside a half-an-hour you puttem all to shame / you puttem all to shame