pragmatics

the street is paved with dead red ants
and lizards wearing frowns
the startled kids in the back seat
are learning to count down
pools of liquid cinderblocks
are gathering round the trees
daddy claims he'd seen it coming
while mommy disagrees.

all the traffic lights have turned to stop
and it's raining cats and dogs
something is closing down on us
with an air of grand indifference
the time has stopped at 8:15
you can see it on the clocks

you think a smile will pull us through?
well, that's an optimistic view -
i'd rather find a gun.

Our Father

we've beaten swords into plowshares
offered the other cheek also
we drank our milk with honey
until hell froze over.

pushed camels through needles,
smoked luckies instead
sought peace and pursued it
in bombs and terror threats.

stood up with endurance
fell down like men
and feared no evil
forever and again.

all the demons
did not break our faith
come hell or high water
we'll forgive each other
just to bore you to death.
amen.

rebirth

we screamed believe it, feel it, and you did
you learned to overcome disappointment
(we should never have written you off)

behind the scenes with open eyes
you're awarded with exclusive
reflections of dakota
where the grass is always green

your face is the finest source of a smile
it's your single biggest high
you can draw the veil
and welcome to the world.
it is still sunday.

*

leaving las vegas (lyrics)

when you walked away to find the world
you left a world behind
(for someone else to take)
to chase your peace of mind.

you left for vegas, then the canyons
you left to be a wall street man
you left to find some new companions
but if you left for love you left in vain


like a fool
on an odyssey
running from somewhere
into nobody's arms
again

you gambled on luck
you lived life in the fast lane
you cheated on your own true friends
one man's loss is another man's gain

as the walls started closing down on you
you tried to back the right horse once again
you gambled on reality
one more bet you couldn't quite maintain

all the casinos are on fire
and the gambler hits the road
at the heart of his desire
there's no love and no reproach

like a fool
on an odyssey
running from somewhere
into nobody's arms
again

midsummer

the green country is a vast island
with a wrinkled coastal string
a simple smile is melting the ice
during the freezing winter
of late spring
for the first time
since the vikings.

future

and in my memories
the lines on your face disappear
the piercing edge in your voice
sounds soothing and mellow in my ears
your startled expression melts into
an understanding smile
your awkward limp is a motion of genuine grace
the night is alight

the stifling heat is a gentle caress on my spotless skin
we're both witty and knowing
with a great sense of humor
full of true feeling and rich on inspiration
i make you like me and i like you to pieces
oh the future is good in my memories.