1 – 1 = Me

Here stands me, in mourning, glory
President of Purgatory
fading into allegory
I have committed no crime
yet I grace the category
persons lost in space and time
don’t send cash we’re doin’ fine
me and all these friends of mine
are settling the territory
underneath the borderline
I have lost in tryin’
I can’t forget the only thing I want
                                  
Exile me in misery
and flower me with flattery
I frolic in frustration
I wore out my best rosary
but my savior’s on vacation

In here where the taunts flow free
and laughter haunts my memory
my bare hooks scratch the hungry sea
in search of sound advice
I’ve found the will of the powers that be
is flung from loaded dice
carve in stone my good name twice
close my case and deftly slice
my branch from the family tree
yes even blind mice see
when into once warm eyes of ice
stares 1 – 1 = me

Here floats me, the living ghost
father, son and well done roast
banished off of every coast
in sinking ships, sublime
sails nothing trying to make the most
of being lost in space and time
one mans’ trash is doin’ fine
chewin’ through the tangled vine
that holds me to this whipping post
underneath the borderline
I have finished cryin’
I don’t regret the only thing I want

Carry me to Calvary
to recharge this weak battery
with a pit stop for the long haul
I waited for the cavalry
but I guess they all went AWOL

Out here in the brilliant shade
love and hope are on parade
launching one more ruthless raid
upon my scant defense
the target of their cannonade
is my lost confidence
which hides behind the flimsy fence
that’s built around the words I mince
then hang it from the highest tree
till even blind men see
in shades of dazzling decadence
swings 1 – 1 = me


Bryans Road, Maryland
5-25-1981