paul bamberger - aa) A Cautionary Tale

hey old man
shadow old man
where you hurrying off to
what’s that you carry on your back
you know you can’t go home
sky warned you
i see you took no heed
what is it you look to do old man
say something with your last breath
something they will not soon forget
they who once took you twice for dead
hang ‘em high boys
he's the fool’s slap of a fool’s back
hang ‘em high
for the hard times
hang ‘em high
for the last chance lost of an old dream
hang ‘em high
for the miracle lost in flight
hang ‘em high
for the mute figure crossing the shadow of the artist’s fist
hang ‘em high boys
for the old widow the young war bride would become
hang ‘em high
he is the shadow in the trusted lie
old man
anybody can be the inglorious howling at 3 a.m.
not everybody gets to go home

paul bamberger

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/aa-a-cautionary-tale/