A.G.E's Joint

  On the shore Slate mass Huddles on the horizon People gather their things  Me? My sanity was cured long ago Trawler on the horizon A flash behind the Bridge Slow roller Second, a bomb. Bring my darkness to light Chaos into a secret order In the pouring rain.

  Dockside bar Sunrise on the table Sunset over the mast Water same color Snake oil on screens over the bar Can't hear, too much noise.  I think of Captain Tony Anchored permanently  Wish for full furl Snapping cloth and following seas

 Alabaster Cathedral Lords over broken concrete Ornamental iron Lined with art Steam Calliope Competes with a brass band And a jackhammer For the ears of passerby This is  La Vieux Carré

  How do you stay in good grace? Time out of mind What you seek is seeking you. Whether daisy, daffodil, or dandelion The bouquet goes a long way.

 The drink sparkles on the rail  In the glow of the blood moon It's been years Since you left But tonight I'm wishing you were here. 

The clock struck 13 on Airstrip One Standing arms out,  Like you had carried a load Nails in the looking glass You hoped it would be  The Twelfth of Never When the shift came Nobody believed it could But it did And you are old Life is short The monster was you all along

 A failure to plan Is a plan to fail Sayeth Reverand Rollins Of Pharisee Church Lightning flashes Thunder rolls Follow that shepherd Into a field of loco weed  Leading us to slaughter The meat is fouled No longer usable  The shepherd doesn't care It was Master's flock. Does Master care? It won't matter For it will be too late. 

One step forward Two steps back Two steps forward Three steps back Queen screams "Faster" Three steps forward Five steps back Five steps forward Eight steps back "Faster again" Eight steps forward Five steps back Five steps forward Three steps back "Again!" Three steps forward Two steps back Two steps forward Final one back Alice collapses, choking on  Candy almonds in her mouth. "May I admire you today? Not everyone could keep pace."

I took a hike in the woods To escape the screaming mind To a place where soldiers Walked on fire so long ago Ruins Standing as testimony Of fallen pride And lightning swords

  Fandango ended A time deliberately lost Left behind in the march of time Where we imagined we were somewhere Paris London Aspen Sharing popcorn And other things All gone now An abandoned husk Wasted opportunity Waiting for the next generation

 Cold morning Chased the Royalty inside Guard changes For better For worse Dr. Jekyll fades Mr. Hyde rages Formal dress hiding  scars Operator Information I'd like to speak to a friend of mine Watching across time

The first hike was on the second day.  So, sue me. I tried There is only do or do not, sadly The first day I was staring at Bourbon Street. My Soul slipping on ice Same blocks I've walked down  And will again. It won't be the same, I know.  They held a prayer and a Second Line In remembrance A stitch on the soul To stop the seepage Of love For our fellow man.