Quiet Man Burning

If a cloud cried would the devil frown 
when it kept the fields from turning brown
if a clown cries when there’s no one around
does it mean a man is burning down
does a sad clown live in your town
can you hear him quietly calling
(see his barstool falling)
could you let your good friend drown?

Does your mind bake, or does your heart ache
did your good friend drown in a 90 proof lake
from all of the comfort that he couldn’t take
or the lonely nights he lay awake
in a frozen bed that would not shake
(on a ship that sprang a leak)
when your friend was sad and weak
how much effort did you make?
it don’t take long for a spirit to break

If the queen smiled would it satisfy
all the time that’s passed me by
why can’t I hold my head high?
I’m not living some alibi
I don’t cheat and I don’t lie
I hear the cheer was drawing near
(kiss the mountains and echo clear)
then turn and burn and die

Turn back the page to my golden age
I held a canary without any cage
sneak attack - (the one-way war I wage)
crack then crumble into my silent rage
hear me mumble…
the dreams just seem to float away
and try to catch the screams
that die inside my throat each day

Didja hear? a quiet man is burning
his whole world has just gone up in flames
it is clear a way of life won’t be returning
no matter who he blames
they say a young man’s learning  
yeah, that a quiet man lays no claims

Eventually, atomic whisper
gradually, I’m getting crisper
till one day -
a quiet shell grows cold
and why the hell was I not told
(that all that glitters is not gold)
if it felt so right
that you thought you could fly
why am I too tired to fight
and burnt out from a natural high?

Can’t ya hear? a quiet man is burning
for a love that ended in its prime
yet this wicked world goes right on turning
like it happens all the time
they say a young man’s learning
yeah, of Jack Black and turpentine

Gingerly, mix up a batch
pour it on me then strike a match
and stand back -
I think you should be told
that a burning wind may make no sound
(while an empty man reloads)
but I wouldn’t wanna be around
when a quiet man explodes


  Poway, California  
  06/1980