YOU'RE NOT REAL, I'M NOT REAL - WHO HAS
THE MOST APPEAL? ANNE SAYS: 'LOOK AT
THAT, SEE WHAT THEY DO,' BUT THEY'RE
ACTING IT OUT ALTHOUGH SUDDENLY THAT'S
THE WAY IT REALLY IS, AFTER ALL YOU'RE
IN THE SCREEN, NOT SEPARATED, ONLY MEAN;
I'M WATCHING MY LOVER WHO STEPPED OUT
OF THE BOX, HE'S HANDSOME, WELL BUILT
AND STACKED WITH MONEY UP TO THE HILT,
I'M NOT DISAPPOINTED, WE HAVE A GREAT TIME,
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT HE COULD REALLY BE MINE,
NO ONE WILL EVER LEAVE ANYONE, PROMISES
FOR TODAY BUT THEN I REALIZE IT'S ONLY A PLAY.

'HEY, JOHN BOY, I HEAR THAT YOU'RE GOING TO VIETNAM,'
'THAT'S RIGHT, THEY WANT SOME OIL EXPLORATION, SO HERE I AM,'
' I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN STAND ALL THAT HEAT,'
'IT'S OKAY, I'M USED TO IT - PART OF MY BEAT.'

I REMEMBER SAIGON, SWIRLING FANS OVERHEAD,
WHEN YOU RETURNED FROM WORK, YOU FELT HALF -DEAD,
SOME OF THE GIRLS IN HANOI LOOKED LIKE A BOY,
THAT'S BECAUSE THEY WERE (ONCE) IN DODGY EMPLOY.

A BOMB WENT OFF IN A CAFE - BLEW IT TO BITS,
KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN, HAD TO BE CAREFUL TO KEEP YOUR WITS,
WHEN YOU'RE MAKING LOVE, YOU FORGET DEATH,
MORE CONCERNED THAT YOU MIGHT RUN OUT OF BREATH.

JOHN BOY NEVER CAME BACK, SAD TIME, MAYBE A
DESTINY, KILLED ON A MOTORBIKE LIKE LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.

ROBIN REDBREAST CAME MY WAY,
HE COCKED HIS HEAD AS THOUGH TO SAY:
'GIVE ME YOUR LIFE, SO LONGER,
I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE LIKE YOU -STRONGER.'

I SAID: 'BUT YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL,
WITH YOUR FLASH OF RED,' SO IT'S SAID
THAT WE ENVY YOU AND THE THINGS YOU DO,
IT WOULDN'T BE THE SAME IF YOUR CHEST WAS BLUE.

PROMISE ME THAT YOU'LL LEAVE ME FOOD,
EVEN IF, EVEN IF YOU'RE IN A BAD MOOD,
YOU'LL NOTICE THAT I SAY SOME THINGS TWICE,
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO HAVE YOU NICE.

YOU'LL SEE ME TOMORROW THRO' LEAVES AND GREEN,
THEN YOU CAN ASK ME WHERE AND HOW I'VE BEEN.

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE,
BE AHEAD OF THE GAME - WHAT A PAIN,
DON'T PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE,
NOT ANOTHER ****** HORSE - DEAD OF COURSE,

THERE'S NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FOOL,
THAT'S ME BUT I WON'T LIE DOWN EASILY,
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND,
WHO DREAMED THAT UP - I'M STILL WAITING.

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD (GOOD),
ESPECIALLY IF IT'S EUROPEAN 22 CARAT,
ALL CATS ARE GREY IN THE DARK,
THAT'S WHY I COULDN'T FIND THE *******.

DON'T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET,
AS IT'S EASTER - I'M GOING TO EAT THE LOT.

LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES,
WHY NOT ORANGES, APPLES OR KIWI FRUIT ?
A PERSON IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY HE KEEPS,
WHO  CHOOSES WHO? THERE MAY BE LITTLE YOU CAN DO.

BEWARE OF GREEKS BEARING GIFTS,
WITH THE STATE OF THEIR ECONOMY, THERE ARE NONE LEFT,
A WOMAN IS A WOMAN AND A CIGAR IS A SMOKE,
ANY TAKERS FOR THIS ONE - MUST HAVE BEEN A ***.

HE WHO CAN DOES, HE WHO CAN NOT TEACHES,
SO I DID MANY THINGS AND MY WIFE LECTURES ( ME ),
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT,
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, ENOUGH.

LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE,
IT DID, IT DOES AND THE SECOND TIME WAS WORSE.

HOW WE LAUGHED AT THE PHOTOGRAPH -
HAIR LONGER THEN, CAN WE GO BACK AGAIN?
IT WAS A SUNNY DAY WITH THE SMELL
OF NEW CUT HAY - COULD BE ANY MAY

BUT IT WASN'T - TIME WAS PINPOINTED
AND FATED EXACTLY NEITHER FORWARD OR BACK,
JUST ON THE MERIDIAN AND WON'T COME AGAIN

ALWAYS A GOOD MOOD NEVER CAUGHT THE SAME
HIDDEN FROM VIEW NOT SHOWING SOLUTIONS,
ONLY SMILES, SNAPPY CLOTHES AND GOOD INTENTIONS

I CLIMB IN YOUR PICTURE AND WALK TOWARDS
YOU - A LIST OF THINGS ON MY LIPS BUT
SOMEONE SAYS NO! AND TIME STANDS STILL,
HOW WE DIDN'T SEE JUST HOW LUCKY WE COULD BE!

THERE IS NO  POINT TO THIS - REVENGE
HAS NO MEANING - WHY DON'T YOU ASK ALLAH?
NOTHING WILL CHANGE - THERE IS NO CALIPHATE,
THERE IS NOTHING FOR YOU TO DO EXCEPT SURRENDER;
LIFE HAS DEALT YOU BLOWS WHICH YOU MUST LIVE WITH,
WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE - WHAT WILL YOU LEAVE BEHIND?
ONLY ENMITY AND SCORN WILL BE YOUR REWARDS
AND A FAKE PARADISE PROMISED BY MENTORS;
PERHAPS I SHOULD JOIN YOU - **** MY FELLOW MAN,
UNDERSTAND YOUR MINDSET, NOTHING TO LIVE FOR,
ONLY TO DIE LIKE A BULLIED PUPPET IN BLOOD,
TO HAVE YOUR LIMBS TORN APART FOR NO REASON,
THEN YOU DECIDED THAT YOU COULDN'T GO THROUGH WITH IT,
A MAN ON THE RUN WHO DOESN'T EVEN DESERVE DEATH.

YOU MAY LEAD A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE HIM DRINK,
THAT'S BECAUSE THE POOR ******'S NOT THIRSTY,
A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED,
ESPECIALLY AFTER HE'S JUST ****** FARTED.

YOU CAN'T MAKE A SILK PURSE OUT OF A SOW'S EAR,
THEY MAY NOT APPRECIATE THAT ANYWAY IN TYNE AND WEAR,
A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH,
LISTEN MATE, I'M QUITE HAPPY WHEN SHOVE COMES TO PUSH.

AS YOU MAKE YOUR BED, SO YOU SHALL LIE IN IT,
I DON'T MAKE THE BED BUT STILL GET IN ****,
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER,
MUST HAVE BEEN UGLY BECAUSE GOT A SLAP WHEN I TOLD HER.

PERHAPS ITS TIME FOR A MAKE-OVER FROM GOK,
BUT MAN IN SWING DOOR IS STILL GOING TO BANGKOK.

THOU SHALT NOT BE MISERABLE - MAN-UP,
YOU HAVE AN OBSESSION WITH DEPRESSION,
HERE BEGINS THE LESSON - WHAT IS YOUR REASON?
WRITE DOWN YOUR GOOD THINGS - WHAT A SMILE BRINGS.

RESPECT YOURSELF, YOUR PARENTS AND FAMILY FOR ME,
DO NOT MAKE ACCUSATIONS, RATHER DECISIONS,
DO NOT DESIRE THAT WHICH YOU CAN NOT HAVE,
DO NOT COMMIT ****** AND THEFT - USE WHAT'S LEFT.

DO NOT DESIRE ANOTHER PERSONS DONKEYS, SLAVES,
CATTLE OR THEIR PARTNER - THREE OUT OF FOUR SHOUD BE OK,
I FORGOT THE HOUSE - YOU HAVE ONE OF YOUR OWN,
WHEN IT COMES TO ADULTERY - I DON'T WANT TO KNOW.

TODAY IS SPRING, I WANT TO HEAR WHAT MAKES YOU SING,
MAKE ME LAUGH, IF YOU SUCCEED - THE WINE I SHALL BRING.

JOHN ANDREW WAS DYING OF CANCER,
IT WAS TIME FOR HIM TO GO,
AND EVENTUALLY HE PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY,
BUT IT WASN'T OVER - AS YOU'LL READ DRAMATICALLY;
'THE OTHER SIDE' WAS THERE AFTER ALL,
HE HAD A CHOICE - TO STAY IN A STRANGE PLACE,
OR RETURN WITH A NEW BODY TO THE HUMAN RACE,
WOULD YOU KNOCK ON THE DOOR - READ ON TO FIND MORE;
HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF FAMILY OR FRIENDS,
IN THE NEW LIFE, LEFT TO HIS OWN ENDS,
HE HAD TO WATCH OUT FOR THE EVIL CHRISTINE,
A LOOSE CANON ***** INCREDIBLY MEAN,
THE OUTCOME WAS REALLY BEYOND WILDEST DREAMS.
DON'T DISCOUNT A LIFE WHERE NOTHING'S AS IT SEEMS.

I HOPE THAT YOU ARE WELL - YOU'RE SO POPULAR,
I ENVY TOUR PERSONA AND INFRASTRUCTURE,
DID YOU ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY AT THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS?
IT COULD NOT BE DIFFICULT WITH YOUR BEDROOM- BROWN EYES:
NO ONE EVER REFUSED IF YOU ASKED THEM TO DANCE,
DESTINY WAS MADE AND IT WASN'T BY ANY CHANCE,
I TOUCHED YOUR LEG ONCE AND YOU SAID I WAS GAY,
I DON'T NEED THAT THANK YOU - I CAN BUY ON E- BAY,
HOWEVER, YOU ARE A VERY GOOD FRIEND MON AMI,
ALBEIT VAIN, CONCEITED, HANDSOME AND DEAR TO ME,
I REMEMBER THAT YOU RODE ONCE ON THE ROOF OF A CAR,
LIFTED YOUR HAT TO SOMEONE AS THOUGH A STAR,
ALL OF THE TEN-PINS SCATTERED WHEN YOU BOWLED A BALL,
I WONDERED IF YOU WOULD EVER MISS ANYTHING AT ALL.

I MET THE 'UPTOWN GIRL' IN A DOWNTOWN BAR,
BILLY AND I SPOKE AWHILE ACROSS MANY A JAR,
NEW YORK BUSTLED AND HUSTLED AND WE WHISPERED
ACROSS THE TABLE, LAUGHED ABOUT McCARTNEY'S THIRD MARRIAGE,
RINGO'S STILL WITH BACH AND WALKS IN CENTRAL PARK,
BILLY SPOKE ABOUT THE 'PIANO MAN,'LIT HIS CIGARETTE,
SAID THAT THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO HADN'T BEEN FULFILLED YET,
HE ASKED IF I'D SEEN ELTON LATELY - HE STILL USED
SOME SUNGLASSES THAT HE'D BEEN GIVEN AT A WILD PARTY,
ASKED ABOUT ANNE - I SAID THAT 'SHE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN TO ME,'
HE LAUGHED AND SAID THAT SOUNDED FAMILIAR, SIMILAR
TO THE LOVES IN HIS LIFE BUT YOU CAN'T BEAT A WONDERFUL WIFE;
THE SECRET HE SAID, WAS 'HONESTY' WOULD ALWAYS GO FAR,
THEN SHE'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, 'JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.'

SOMEBODY ONCE SAID, 'DON'T THINK EVERYTHING IS PUNITIVE,'
I DIDN'T LIKE THE BEGINNING, NEITHER THE END,
AND THE PIECE IN THE MIDDLE IS NOT WHAT FATE SHOULD SEND,
TIME TO GROW UP - NO LONGER BE THE SPOILT CHILD,
YEARS ARE ROLLING ON - STOP TRYING TO BE SO WILD;
NOW I KNOW THERE'S NOT MUCH LEFT BEFORE THE FAT LADY
SINGS - THE SECRET OF THIS LIFE IS TO ENJOY THE BORING THINGS,
THE OTHERS ARE A BONUS WHICH ARE GIVEN, LEFT FOR US,
LIKE ROSE PETALS SCATTERED ON THE BED SO IT'S  BEEN SAID
THAT GOOD FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE - MORE THAN TIME CAN SAVE;
HOW LUCKY WE ARE - FREEDOM AT THE SNAP OF THE FINGERS,
LACED WITH SANDALWOOD WHEN THE SCENT OF GOOD AFTER-SHAVE LINGERS,
HOW LUCKY WE'VE COME THIS FAR, LOOK AT THE FOOD IN FRONT OF YOU,
THINK OF AN UP-GRADE - GIVE YOUR ATTITUDE AN OVERVIEW.

I CAN WITHSTAND ANYTHING THAT COMES,
I'VE HAD MY RATION, IF GOD'S DONE HIS SUMS,
ANY KIND OF STORM, POWER CUT OR BLACK,
SOMETIME'S YOU WONDER IF YOU'RE EVER COMING BACK;
I'VE BEEN SNOWBOUND AND WITHOUT ANY KIND OF SOUND,
WHAT'S IT LIKE WHEN YOU'RE DOWN TO YOUR LAST POUND,
SACKED, RETRENCHED, HUMILIATED AND IGNORED,
YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN FORSAKEN BY MY SWEET LORD,
ONCE I COULDN'T EVEN SEE WHAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME,
HOW STRONG ARE YOU IF YOU LOSE YOUR HOUSE AND FAMILY,
I'M TIRED, CAN'T GO ON ANY MORE IT WOULD SEEM,
YOU LOSE FAITH, RESILIENCE - YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN;
BUT THERE'S ONE THING LEFT - COUNT A BLESSING AS YOU DO,
HOW LUCKY I AM TO HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW.

PHAEDRUS WHERE ARE YOU NOW? WITH GREY LOCKS
AND LUCID MINDSET WHICH THE CRADLE ROCKS,
WE KNOW YOU, LISTEN TO YOUR TREATISE DREAM,
WHICH CAN NOT BE MET BY NOTHING AS IT SEEM;
PLATO MADE YOU CRAWL WITH TRUMPETS BLAZI NG,
LEFT YOU SPEECHLESS, STARING, ONLY GAZING
AT WHAT WAS NOT THERE, GONE LIKE A LOST SONG,
NOUGHT WAS THE SAME SINCE YOU CAME ALONG,
AN AGEING INCUBUS WITH LITTLE TO ACHIEVE,
YOU WOULD HAVE US ALL JUST WANTING TO BELIEVE,
THE SOPHISTS WERE ALWAYS RIGHT BUT YOU WERE WRONG,
ABOUT THINKING, ABOUT LIVING, ABOUT ANYTHING;
THE CLASS LEFT FOR THE DAY HAPPY AT DEPRESSION,
THERE WAS NOTHING BETTER THAN LISTENING TO YOUR LESSON.

THE DOWRY WAS FOR FUTURE WIFE AND LIFE,
IT DID NOT GUARANTEE SUCCESS FOR YOU AND ME,
I COULD GIVE YOU SOME ADVICE - IT WOULD BE NICE
TO KNOW WHEN THEIR THROWING SHOES AND RICE,
GOD WILL PROVIDE AND COVER IF YOU HELP YOURSELF,
DO NOT RELY ON DESTINY OR THE BEING OF ANOTHER;
YOU MUST RE-INVENT EVERY DAY AND THEN PRAY
THAT THERE'S SOMETHING POSITIVE TO SAY,
TAKE HEED OF PLEASURE AND LEISURE FOREVER,
NOT IN PASSING BUT TO BE DONE WITHOUT ASKING,
YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN KEYS, SO USE THEM,
NOT JUST TO KEEP THINGS IN PLACE BUT TO OPEN
HEARTS AND MINDS AND CLEVERNESS THAT BINDS,
BE AHEAD, BECAUSE FORTUNE HAS MANY KINDS.

I'VE HEARD OF SHANGRILA - THEY SAY
THE HOTEL IS  NOT TOO FAR - JUST STROLL
IN, ORDER YOUR MEAL AND THEN I'LL
TELL YOU ABOUT THE DEAL : FIFTEEN
THOUSAND POUNDS FOR TEN PEOPLE,
SOUNDS A BIT STEEP AND I'LL ASSURE
YOU IT'S NOT AN ERROR - FROM SHARKS
FIN SOUP TO ABALONE, MUST BE BETTER
THAN HOME-ALONE OR IS IT? GROSS
OPULENCE FOR MOST OF US - ANY TRAVEL
PROBLEMS - WE'LL BUY THE BUS - A MERE
SNIP FOR MR. ABROMOVITCH - WE WOULDN'T
WANT TO QUEER HIS PITCH, PERHAPS IT'S
TIME TO PAUSE AWHILE, JUST TO SEE MY SICKLY SMILE.

SO MANY STEPS IN SHADOW, SO MANY
PEOPLE DOWN BELOW, SOME BISTRO SAYS
HELLO AND COSY CORNERS WON'T LET YOU GO,
CO'INTREAU AND COFFEE DOWNED EASILY;
A PRIEST FROM SACRE COEUR HAS AN EMPTY
CUP AND LOOKS AT ME WHEN I ENTER - HE
INVITES ME TO JOIN HIM, TO PROBE MY SOUL -
TO SEE IF I'M REALLY WHOLE, IN NO NEED
OF SAVING OR PROTECTING FROM THE DEVIL,
I ASSURE HIM THAT I'M FINE BUT STILL
WAITING FOR A SIGN FROM GOD - HE TELLS
ME THAT IT'S WITHIN ME AS HE STANDS UP
TO LEAVE AND ASKS WHY I DON'T BELIEVE,
I SAY I DO NOW BUT DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW.

I DREAMED OF BISCUITS WHILE LYING IN BED,
SOMETHING YOU CAN'T DO WHEN YOU'RE FINALLY DEAD,
I DREAMED THAT MAYBE I WOULDN'T WAKE UP,
BUT FIRST I HAD TO DEAL WITH AN OVERFLOWING CUP,
PERHAPS I'LL STAY HERE - NEITHER AWAKE OR DECEASED,
OF LONGING FOR EVERYTHING MY APPETITE HAS INCREASED,
YOU CAN'T TOUCH ME OR CHANGE MY MIND,
TO STAY IN THIS LIMBO I AM RESIGNED
TO MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT I'VE BEEN GIVEN,
I'M NOW IN MY OWN KIND OF HEAVEN, WHERE
I CAN CONJURE UP EVERY NEED BY
FLICKING THRO' FILES AND SELECTING MY FAVOURITE
SMILES; SOMEONE'S SHAKING MY SHOULDERS BUT
TO NO AVAIL- WHATEVER I WANT, I WILL NOT FAIL.

TEQUILA SLIPPED DOWN EASILY, A MYSTERY
WHO THE NEW MAN WAS BECAUSE HE CARRIED
AN AURA WITH HIM WHICH EVEN HEMMINGWAY
MIGHT HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN; THIS HEAT WAS
EVEN TOO MUCH FOR CAMPESINOS BUT NO
BEAD OF SWEAT APPEARED ON HIS FACE,
AS HE FIXED HIS GAZE ON ME MYSTICALLY,
HE SAID THAT, 'YOU WON'T SEE ME AGAIN
BUT WHEN YOU GO OUTSIDE IN THE DUST,
YOU'LL CARRY ME WITH YOU AND I WILL
GUIDE WHAT YOU DO,' AMAZINGLY, I BELIEVED
HIM, FINISHED MY DRINK AND DON'T CARE WHAT
YOU THINK, IT WAS TRUE - NEW ENERGY
GRIPPED ME AND NOW WHERE I WANTED TO BE.

I'M STOPPED AGAIN BECAUSE I'M BLACK,
THEY EVEN HIT ME ON THE BACK,
I WAS TOLD THAT I RESISTED ARREST,
THEN DRAGGED ME AWAY WEARING MY VEST.

THEY STOPPED ME BECAUSE I'M BROWN,
LAUGHED BEFORE THEY STRUCK ME DOWN,
DRUGS WERE FOUND ON ME - NOT MINE,
I WAS LOCKED INTO A CELL - SIX BY NINE.

THEY LET ME GO BECAUSE I'M WHITE,
WITH THE OTHERS - THEY DON'T GIVE A *****,
I WAS ASKED NOT TO SAY ANYTHING,
OTHERWISE, THEY'D ARREST ME FOR LOITERING.

WHEN WILL THESE RACISTS EVER LEARN?
MAYBE ONE DAY, IT WILL BE THEIR TURN.

THERE WAS A SMALL BROWN BOY ALL ALONE,
MY TROUBLES WERE NOUGHT COMPARED WITH HIS,
A WAVE HAD TAKEN HIS FAMILY AWAY
AND HIS HOUSE, AND NOTHING WOULD EVER BE
THE SAME AGAIN - ALL THAT'S LEFT IS JUST
THE PAIN; BUT THERE WERE SOME THINGS I
COULD DO TO HELP, AS AN AID WORKER IN
THE WRONG PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME - HE
BECAME RATHER LIKE A SON OF MINE;
NEW PEOPLE TO LOOK AFTER HIM WITH FOOD
AND SHELTER PROVIDED WAS FORTUNATE,
GOD WAS WATCHING OVER HIM AND HIS FATE,
THE SCARS WILL TAKE TIME TO HEAL BUT
WHEN I SEE HIM SMILE, I'LL KNOW MY HELP WAS WORTHWHILE.

THE HALL WAS PACKED WITH EVERYONE DOING THEIR DUTY,
PEOPLE FIDGETING, WIPING GRIT FROM THEIR EYES,
CHILDREN RESTLESS, LATECOMERS FINDING A SEAT,
THE PRIEST DRONED ON, A COUGH WAS INDISCREET;
A STRANGER DRESSED IN WHITE WALKED THE AISLE,
LIKE A PRISONER MOVING ALONG THE GREEN MILE,
HE APPROACHED THE ROSTRUM AND TURNED AROUND,
ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SOUND,
THE MINISTER CONTINUED AS THO' PART OF A PLAY,
HE SAID THAT WE MUST LEAD OUR LIVES RESPONSIBLY,
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR, DO AS YOU WOULD DO UNTO OTHERS,
THE MAN IN WHITE HAD THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS ON HIS SHOULDERS,
WE KNEW THEN THAT WE MUST DO WHAT THE SERMON HAD TOLD US.

I CAN UNDERSTAND COLOUR, KNOW YOUR SHAPE,
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL GIVES ME HOPE,
IT'S BEST TO PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE,
AFTER ALL, A BRIGHT SMILE CAN ONLY BE REFLECTIVE;
CAN YOU PAINT A WASH, EVEN DO A PICTURE?
I ARRIVED AT A MASTERPIECE AVOIDING STICTURE,
HOW WONDERFUL TO HAVE THE MONA LISA TUCKED
UNDER YOUR ARM FOR TEN YEARS, NO MORE FEARS
WHEN YOU REALISED THAT YOU WERE A GENIUS AFTER ALL,
NOW YOU KNEW YOUR OWN WORTH RIGHT FROM BIRTH,
SHOW ME SOMETHING WHICH CAN NOT BE SEEN,
IN ORANGE AND BLUE AND SHADES OF GREEN,
SHOW ME YOUR POWER AND THEN GIVE IT TO ME,
I'LL MANAGE THE BRUSH STROKES OF LIFE PERFECTLY.

THE LIGHT WAS RIGHT - A DUSTY YELLOW,
DARK BELOW, NOT TOO HIGH AND NOT TOO
LOW, WINE UNTOUCHED AND PICTURES ASKEW,
KEEP YOUR SHOES ON WHATEVER YOU DO,
SHADOWS MOVING AND SOULS PROVING THAT
MAGIC STILL EXISTS BEFORE AND AFTER LOVERS
KISSED, HEARTS BEATING AND MOMENTS FLEETING
TO THE RHYTHM OF THE CLOCK AND HANDS
THAT MOCK, FEEL THEIR WAY WITH  DEFT
SKILL - NOTHING ELSE MOVES, NEVER, UNTIL
PASSION FLOWS AND ROSE UP LIKE SUNBEAMS
FINDING POLISHED SURFACES EVER EXTENDING,
ARCHED BACKS LIKE WILLOWS ABENDING,
WITH WAIT AND GO - TOMORROW NEVER COMES.

ONE IS TO PICK UP THE OPEN PAPERS ON THE FLOOR,
SHOWING EVENTS WHICH HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE,
TWO IS TO LISTEN AND POINT OUT HERE AND THERE,
THE THINGS I MISSED WHEN I COULD ONLY STAND AND STARE,
THREE IS FOR COMPANY AND JUST TO MAKE ME LAUGH,
I CAN NOT STOP, YOUR FACE, ONE VOICE, MY PATH,
FOUR IS SPECIAL, UNRELENTING WITH RARE TALENT,
HOW I MISSED YOU GONE WHEN YOU FINALLY WENT,
FIVE IS QUIRKY JUST LIKE ME BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE
SPACE AND SOMEHOW WE BOTH WRIGGLE INTO IT TOGETHER,
SIX IS THE MECHANIC WHO USUALLY GETS THINGS DONE,
ONE OF THOSE PERENNIALS YOU CAN REALLY DEPEND ON,
SEVEN IS TO LOVE AND GUIDE ME ON MY WAY,
GIVE ME MAGIC JUST LIKE HONEY SO THEY SAY.

A DIFFERENT LIFE ON THE TAPE, NOT MINE
BUT SOMEONE ELSE THIS TIME; THE HOUSE
SMELLED DIFFERENT: LEATHER, TENDED FOLIAGE
AND FRAGRANT AIR IF YOU TURNED OVER A PAGE,
MY SHOES CLIP-CLOPPED ON THE FLOOR AND
AN IMAGE STOOD FRAMED WITHIN A DOOR,
CLOTHES WERE GOOD AND A VOICE BECKONED ME
FORWARD FOR DINNER, FOR COMFORT, FOR MANY
THINGS AND ALL THE WARMTH THAT A SMILE BRINGS,
HOW HAD I MISSED THIS BEFORE WHEN IT WAS
ONLY HIDDEN BEHIND A DOOR, NO MATTER -
I HAVE MY OWN SMILE, OWN PLANTS, OWN SEAT -
IN FACT I'M THE NICEST GUY YOU COULD WISH
TO MEET; BACK IN THE BOX I SEE ANOTHER TAPE.

HE WAS BACK, LIKE PHAEDRUS BUT NOT
OF THIS EARTH, RATHER TO HAVE SOME FUN
FOR WHAT IT WAS WORTH; I TOLD HIM TO
BEHAVE PROPERLY AND LEAVE THE TALKING
TO ME - EVEN THEN HIS POWER WAS GREATER
THAN IT APPEARED TO BE; AN EMPTY GLASS
BECAME FULL, SOMEONE'S WALLET SUDDENLY
HAD EXTRA NOTES AND A NEARBY DOG TURNED
IN CIRCLES WHEN IT REALIZED THAT NO TAIL
WAS VISIBLE; THE PUNTERS WERE ASTONISHED
WHEN A HORSE IN A TV RACE WHICH WAS
CLEARLY LOSING, SUDDENLY STRAIGHTENED IT'S
KNEES AND LEAPT FORWARD PAST THE OTHERS
TO WIN - PLEASE EXPLAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN!

I LOVE THE SHARPSHOOTER - SHE PUTS EVERYTHING RIGHT,
IT'S SO GOOD SOMETIMES - SHE GIVES ME A FRIGHT,
FROM EXPERIENCE, IT SEEMS MUCH BETTER THAN MINE,
KEEPS YOU ON TRACK, STRANGELY KEEPS YOU IN LINE;
I TOOK ALL THIS ENLIGHTENMENT, HEAVEN - SENT,
AND THEN KNEW, DOWN THE ROCKY PATHS WHERE I WENT
WRONG SOMETIMES, WHERE I LEFT MY OLD MINDSET,
AND REALISED THAT WHAT YOU PUT IN IS WHAT YOU GET;
I WAS THE LAST CHILD - SHARPSHOOTER WAS THE FIRST,
I WAS SPOILED, MAYBE NO. 1 CAN BE BETTER VERSED,
CAN HAVE A SERENITY WHICH IS HARD TO MATCH,
DO YOU REALLY MEAN THAT, YES - THERE IS NO CATCH,
NOTHING HIDDEN, AS PLAIN AND BEAUTIFUL FOR ALL TO SEE,
I CONCEDE WITH MANY THINGS THAT SHE IS BETTER THAN ME!

MONK ADJUSTED MY TIE - I ASKED HIM WHY
EVERYTHING HAD TO BE STRAIGHT - HE SAID,
'WAIT, I'LL TELL YOU WHY THAT THE STARS
ARE ORDERED IN THE SKY AND BIRDS
NEED TWO WINGS WHEN THEY FLY, TO
PLACES ARRANGED BY GOD BEFOREHAND,
NORTH AND SOUTH BEFORE THEY LAND,
THOSE PICTURES ON THE WALL SHOULD NOT
MOVE AT ALL AND WHEN I MAKE LOVE,
SOMEONE'S WATCHING ME FROM ABOVE,
NOTHING IS RANDOM SO COME ON AND
BE A REGULAR GUY - THE TEARS DROP
EVENLY WHEN I CRY FOR THIS IS A MUST -
NEARLY EVERYTHING OUT THERE I NEED TO ADJUST.'

THE STRIPES ON THE PROMENADE PAVING
CARRIED ON UP THE WALL - MADE YOU WONDER
IF ANYTHING WAS THERE AT ALL, ONLY
STREET BOYS, SENORITAS AND FAST FOOD
EATERS BEING WATCHED BY JESUS FROM
A SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN AND A NEARBY FOUNTAIN;
A BAR IN SHANTY TOWN HAD SWING DOORS
AND FACES THAT LOOKED AT YOU, ASKING-
WHY ARE YOU HERE? DID YOU COME TO STEAL
OUR BEER? GO BACK TO IPANEMA WHERE
YOU BELONG - DON'T COME HERE AND SPOIL
OUR SONG; DO YOU LIVE UNDER A LEAKING ROOF?
IF YOU DID, PERHAPS YOU WOULDN'T BE SO  ALOOF,
STAY IN NIRVANA, ON THE WHITE SAND OF COPACABANA.

THERE'S A ROAD THAT WINDS DOWN TO THE BAY,
WITH WOODEN HOUSES AND BALCONIES THAT SWAY,
THEY MOVE IN THE WIND AND SPEAK OF THE PAST,
TELL ABOUT SHADOWS AND WHO WAS THERE LAST,
PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED BUT THE VIEW IS THE SAME,
THE SAME SHIPLAP, THE SAME BEDROOMS, SAME PAIN
AS WHEN I WAS THERE RUNNING FINGERS
THROUGH YOUR HAIR, WAITING AT THE LAMPPOST
AND LEANING ON THE CAR, WATCHING THE BOATS
UNDER A STAR WHICH HAD ALWAYS BEEN THERE
SINCE GOD PLACED IT IN THE SKY, MADE
SUNSETS AND WATER AND VIEWS THAT MADE YOU SIGH;
SLANTING SIDEWALK, STEPS THAT TALK WHEN
YOU ASK THEM - THEY SAY, THERE'S A NEW  DOCK ON THE BAY.

IT WAS STEAMY HOT WITH FANS SWIRLING ABOVE,
THERE WAS NO TIME FOR THE MILITIA OR EVEN
TO MAKE LOVE, JUST CONTINUE WITH THE
PIPELINE DAY AFTER DAY, FROM ONE CLEARING
TO THE NEXT ACROSS VAST TRACTS OF LAND,
DUST TO DUST TAKEN OUT NOW GRAINS OF SAND,
LOCAL LABOUR BROWN AS TEAK DOES NOT
FLINCH WHEN I START TO SPEAK - JUST
WATCHFUL AND DOWNTRODDEN BUT WILLING TO
LEARN, MAYBE IN THE NEXT LIFE IT MIGHT BE
MY TURN TO FACE HUMILITY UNDER JUNGLE SKIES,
WHEN IT'S ALL OVER , WORK IS FINISHED AND CONVERSATION DIES;
'ON THE ROAD TO MANDALAY WHERE THE FLYING FISHES PLAY,
THE DAWN COMES UP LIKE THUNDER FROM CHINA ACROSS THE BAY.'

IT HAD TO COME OUT BUT WHAT WAS IT ALL ABOUT?
THERE WERE THOUGHTS OF INNER BEING AND WHAT
IT WAS LIKE SEEING WHEN EVERY ONE ELSE WAS BLIND,
IRREVERENT, SCATHING, ACID AND TOTALLY UNKIND;
BUT THE WORDS ARE UNSTOPPABLE, FLOWING LIKE
CONFETTI, RELENTLESS RHETORIC NO MATTER HOW PETTY,
THE CHARACTERS COME TO LIFE LIKE CARDBOARD
CUT-OUTS INTO ACTION WHICH THEY CAN'T CONTROL,
TO RESIST IS USELESS AS THEY TAKE OVER YOUR SOUL;
THE CRITICS SAID THAT THE WORDS TOUCHED ON
THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF LIFE, PEELED AWAY LAYERS
JUST LIKE A SURGEON'S KNIFE; SO AMAZE YOURSELF
AND ADD ANOTHER LITERARY MASTERPIECE TO YOUR SHELF,
BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE WORDS TO SPILL - SOMEONE ELSE WILL.

COME WITH ME, BROTHERS - I AM
LOOKING FOR FUTURE LOVERS : NOT
TOO SHORT AND NOT TOO TALL - I'VE
CONVENIENTLY FORGOTTEN MY ADOBE WALL;
MAKE MY BED AND WARM THE SHEETS,
I'LL SEE YOU WHERE THE ROAD MEETS
THE HORIZON AND LET ME SET EYES ON
THOSE DOUBTFUL BUMS - TAKE YOUR THIEVING
HANDS OFF MY DRUMS AND MAKE WAY FOR MY
VANS - YOU'RE ONE OF MY GREATEST FANS;
NOW RUN MY BATH AND DON'T DARE LAUGH
JUST BECAUSE YOU SEE TWINS ON MY PATH,
I'M GOING HOME WHERE THINGS ARE CARRIED AHEAD,
NO FAMINE NOW - I HAVE PLENTY OF BREAD.

DEAR FRIEND, HERE'S SOMETHING I PROMISED
I WOULD SEND - A CAVEAT FROM THE WORLD'S
END; THE WEATHER IS HOT, JUNGLE STEAMING -
OF COOLER CLIMES I MIGHT BE DREAMING,
MAYBE NOT - JUST IN BETWEEN COULD BE
LESS EXTREME, GRASPING AT A MOVING SHADOW
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAINBOW SO OUT
OF REACH - I'LL SETTLE FOR THIS CORAL BEACH,
WHITE POWDER BETWEEN THE TOES, WATCHING
SHIMMERING BLUE EBBS AND FLOWS;
FISHERS OF MEN OUT IN THE DAWN, DARK
BLUE SWIRLS, PURPLE MORN TO FORGET
WHAT'S GONE BEFORE; BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER
WHATEVER YOU DO - BY THE WAY - 'HOW ARE YOU?'

I LIFTED HER UP TO LOOK INSIDE - THERE
WERE PHOTOS OF WHEN HER MOTHER WAS A BRIDE,
UNCLES, AUNTS AND DISTANT COUSINS, ALL
IN ROWS, ALL WITH DUST, NOT CLEANED SINCE
LAST HOLIDAY WHEN OTHERS CAME TO LOOK -
SO MANY MORE TAKEN OUT OF THE BOOK;
IMPRISIONED - MAYBE THEY CAME OUT TO PLAY
AT NIGHT, ALWAYS LOOKED THE SAME, IMPOSSIBLE
TO AGE AND NEVER BOTHERED BY THE RAIN, WHEN
DAYLIGHT CAME THEY WERE ALL BACK AGAIN;
WE WILL BE BEHIND THE GLASS WHEN ALL
THINGS COME TO PASS, SOME EVEN NOW BUT
CAN NOT PLAY UNTIL SPIRIT HAS DEPARTED;
WHEN I PUT HER DOWN SHE WAS BROKEN- HEARTED.

IT'S WISE TO OBSERVE NO SNOOTY RESERVE,
BUT DON'T LET YOUR LIPS NURSE A HIDDEN ITCH,
AS THO' WORDS MIGHT COME FROM SOMEONE
WHOSE DUMB, DON'T THINK EVERYTHING IS
PUNITIVE, RATHER GRASP ANY NETTLE AND
TURN IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE - TO COME
AWAY WITH A BONUS IS INCUMBENT
UPON US, JUST LIKE A CHESS GAME - THE
SLIGHTEST ADVANTAGE CAN WIN THE DAY
AND SURPRISE YOURSELF HOW LITTLE
YOU HAD TO PLAY; NO PERPLEXITY IS NEEDED,
NO FIXED EXPRESSION, RATHER SHOW SOME
OF YOUR SOUL AS THO' YOU KNOW WHERE IT'S AT,
RATHER THAN SUFFER THE ZIG-ZAG SMILE OF THE CAT!

WRITE YOUR OWN RESUME' - THEN I'LL SIGN IT,
MY MENTOR SAID TO ME, ALBEIT FLIPPANTLY,
SO I DID: PHD IN PHILOSOPHY, A FIRST
IN ENGLISH LIKE ALDUOS HUXLEY AND
PROFESSOR OF ORIENTAL STUDIES AT LONDON
UNIVERSITY; A NUMBER OF NOVELS, POETRY
AND WHITE PAPERS COMPLETED A BUSY LIFE,
NO TIME TO TAKE A WIFE, RATHER ARMED
WITH A KNIFE TO PUT INTO PEOPLE'S BACKS,
A REPUTATION MADE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTACKS,
KNOWLEDGE WAS PASSED ON, STUDENTS CAME
AND WENT, ANYWAY WHY SHOULD A PROFESSOR
NEED TO BE HEAVEN-SENT? THE LIFE WAS MINE,
NOT GOOD ENOUGH - MY MENTOR REFUSED TO SIGN.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS HEAR ME, I WILL
SUMMON YOU DISTANTLY FROM AFAR WHILE
I'M SITTING ON MY STAR AND WHILE YOUR
DRIVING IN YOUR CAR; HE WHO WINS 'PRAYERS'
AND WEARS THE MANTLE OF SERENITY, THE
BADGE OF DIVINITY AND THE CLOAK OF
RESPONSIBILITY; TURN AROUND TO FACE MECCA
AND THEN GIVE SUCCOUR TO ALLAH, THE
PROPHETS AND WHERE YOUR LIFE BEGAN - BY
GRACE OF POWER AND MIGHTY ISLAM; I
MADE A MISTAKE, PERHAPS I WAS WRONG AFTER
ALL - I DIDN'T ANSWER THE MUEZZIN'S CALL,
NO MATTER, NO NEED TO FEEL SO BEREFT -
AFTER ALL, TODAY, I STILL HAVE FOUR TIMES LEFT.

I'M FROM AYUTHIA IN THAILAND, MADE OF TEAK,
I HAVE SO MANY STORIES IF I COULD SPEAK,
I'VE SEEN YOU LAUGH AND HEARD YOU CRY
AND EVEN WATCHED YOU WAVE GOODBYE;
STANDING HERE ON THE TV, THERE'S NO
BETTER VIEW IT SEEMS TO ME, THAT MAYBE
I SHOUD WRITE A BOOK - DON'T FROWN NOW,
I KNOW THAT LOOK, KNOW YOUR MOODS, KNOW
WHEN ANGER EXUDES FROM HIDDEN PORES AND
PETULANCE SHOWS ITSELF FROM UNKNOWN STORES;
THERE HAVE BEEN THE GOOD TIMES BUT MY MOOD
IS FIXED, NO WAY OF SAYING - EMOTIONS MIXED,
JUST REMEBER THAT I'M HERE FOR YOU, BROUGHT
WITH LOVE - A GUIDING LIGHT FROM HEAVEN ABOVE.

JO AND I ARE GOING BACK HOME NOW, IT'S DONE,
WE'VE HAD EVERYTHING FROM PHUKET TO HUMDRUM,
I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HEARTS, YOUR CALL,
I GAVE SOME, FOLLOWED AND TRIED TO READ YOU ALL;
I HAD CRITICAL ACCLAIM, PERHAPS STRUCK A CHORD,
I DON'T MIND THE ADMONISHMENT - MAYBE YOU WERE BORED,
BUT IF I MADE YOU LAUGH, EVEN MADE YOU CRY,
IT WAS WORTH EVERY MOMENT THAT I COULD TRY
TO BRIGHTEN THE DAY OR FOR THAT MATTER - THE NIGHT,
WITH THE 'REVOLUTIONIST' HOLDING COURT, GIVING US A FRIGHT,
'TITANIA' WAS 'ILL MET BY MOONLIGHT' IN AN EERIE GLOW,
I SAID TO LIGHTEN UP, ILLUMINATE, NOT LOOK LIKE INDIGO;
MAYBE SOME THINGS WERE WRONG BUT NOT IN THE MAIN,
I WILL RETURN TO ' RIGHT ' AND SEE YOU ALL AGAIN.

I USED TO THINK THAT DOGS THOUGHT IN ENGLISH,
BUT, OF COURSE, IT COULD BE GERMAN OR SPANISH,
IF YOU TELL THEM TO SIT, THEY MAY NOT RESPOND,
JUST RUN AWAY TO THE BACK OF BEYOND;
I'M LOOKING UP 'SIT,' IN RUSSIAN, 'GET OFF
THAT ****** CHAIR,' IN CROATIAN AND 'COME
HERE, THERE'S A GOOD BOY' AND 'WELL DONE,'
PERHAPS WE JUST NEED AN 'ESPERANTO' SO
THAT THEY WILL ALL DO AS THEY'RE TOLD,
OTHERWISE WE WON'T LET THEM COME IN FROM THE COLD,
'STAY,' IN SWEDISH COULD MAKE THEM PEEVISH,
'FRIEND,' IN SWAHILI COULD MAKE THEM AN ENEMY,
WE DON'T WANT THEM TO BARK, MOPE AND PINE,
DON'T FORGET THE MAGIC COMMAND - 'NEIN, NEIN, NEIN!'

THE AMERICANS SPELL GREY WITH AN 'A,'
THEY LACK SUBTLETY SO THEY SAY,
THAT ALL CATS ARE GREY IN THE DARK,
AND IF YOU ASK A DOG - 'DOES IT HURT?                
HE'LL REPLY -                                        
'ONLY WHEN I BARK!'
SOMEONE BOUGHT ME SOME KEY RINGS,
SHOWING A MAP OF PENANG AND AUSTRALIA,
A MALAYSIAN DOLLAR - THEN I HEARD THE DOG HOLLER,
THEN I HEARD THAT YOU COULD SPELL CENTRE TWO WAYS,
MAYBE YOU COULD MAKE A CHOICE ON DIFFERENT DAYS,
I SUPPOSE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A THANKSGIVING FOR ALL
THAT, WE HAVE AN I-POD, I-PHONE AND A SAT-NAV,
LIFE'S A TURKEY, A BARKING DOG AND A BEACH,
WHEN I GO FOR THE DYE - IT'S OUT OF REACH!

HEALTHY YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD NOT READ,
ONLY SEARCH FOR INFORMATION WHEN YOU NEED,
SOMEONE ASKED ME: 'WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FROM?'
I REPLIED: 'YOU TALKING, ASKING ME IS ONE,'
IT DOESN'T EVEN MATTER IF WHAT I SAY IS WRONG;
TIME IS SHORT, YOU READ MY WORK WHEN I'M GONE,
YOU WONDER WHAT'S MEANT WHEN THE PASSAGE COMES ALONG,
MAYBE ONLY I KNEW THE QUESTION WILL HANG IN THE AIR,
YOU'LL WRITE YOUR OWN WORK AND THEN YOU'LL CARE;
IT WILL BE LIKE MAKING LOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME,
YOU STARTED OFF WITH SUCH SPEED AND ENTHUSIASM,
YOU REALIZED WHAT THEY'D TOLD YOU WAS A TRUISM,
WHEN IT'S OVER, YOU MAY THINK IT'S AN ANTI -******,
IF YOU DID IT RIGHT - YOUR BAPTISM FOR NOTHING LACKS.

I PLAY SUDOKU, CARDS AND CHESS,
BUT SUDDENLY WHAT'S MORE BECOMES LESS,
THEN, THERE'S BRIDGE, MONOPOLY AND LUDO,
WHAT'S MAYBE NEXT, I HAVEN'T GOT A CLUEDO;
MIND GAMES ARE THE WORST - JUST NUEROTIC
BUT THEY'RE NASTY, UNCALLED FOR AND DESPOTIC,
I FIELD THEM ALL LIKE ***** IN THE AIR,
I MUST CATCH, TO DROP THEM I WOULDN'T DARE,
THEN THERE WAS RUNNING, STAY IN THE RACE,
I'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE IF I CAN STAND THE PACE,
THERE'S NEVER A CROSSWORD THAT PASSES ME BY,
WHEN YOUR HAVING FUN, HOW THE TIME DOES FLY,
LIFE IS A CHARADE, GUESS WHAT COMES NEXT,
I'M NOT SURE, MAYBE HEAVEN - I'LL SEND YOU A TEXT!

THERE WAS NO TIME TO WAIT TODAY,
YOU HAD TO CATCH THE NEXT LIFE OR STAY FOREVER,
THERE WAS A WINDOW WHICH WOULD OPEN FOR YOU,
TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO USE GOOD ENDEAVOUR,
AND WHEN YOU GOT THERE IT WOULD START AGAIN,
A NEVER ENDING CIRCLE, A DRIVERLESS TRAIN;
I WALK BACK THRO' CARRIAGES TO FIND THE DRIVER
BUT THERE IS NONE - ONLY GOD IS IN CONTROL,
ONLY GOD WILL TELL YOU WHEN ITS TIME TO GET OFF,
YOUR STOP, YOUR DESTINY IS NEVER ENOUGH
TO SLOW THE TIME, WHETHER YOURS OR MINE;
THE ASTEROID IS COMING, YOU HAD SO MANY YEARS,
TOO LATE FOR TRAINS, TOO LATE FOR TEARS,
I'LL CATCH THE NEXT LIFE TO ALLAY MY FEARS.

I COULDN'T GO OUTSIDE IN CASE I GOT ZIKA,
BUT THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO GET WEAKER,
I MET RONALDO, AT A FIFA PARTY AS YOU GO,
AND MESSI AND NEYMAR WHO HAD NOWHERE .. .. ,
THEY SAY THAT INDONESIA IS TO BE ATTACKED BY TERRORISTS,
BUT WE'VE HAD ENOUGH OF TORNADOES AND EXTREMISTS,
NAOMI SOCKED SOMEONE ELSE ON A BA PLANE,
AFTER DIVORCE, CHARLTON WON'T BE THE SAME AGAIN,
ENGLAND'S VOTING TO STAY WITH EUROPE OR NOT,
MOST DON'T GIVE A S.... , THEY'LL SAY THEY FORGOT,
TRUMP CONTINUES TO BORE US AND DEPLORE MOST,
DON'T LET MONEY BUY OR ENTERTAIN HIS ILLITERATE BOAST;
WE'LL GET ON WITH OUR LIVES, DON'T NEED THOSE GUYS,
THEY SHOULD REMEMBER THAT SOME THINGS ARE NOT GOVERNED BY THEIR SIZE.

IT HAPPENED WITH AN ARGUMENT,
A SUDDEN SCORE AT ANY SPORT,
THEN THE WEATHER'S TURNING NASTY,
NOT GOOD IF YOU'RE THE WORRYING SORT,
MY SKIN WAS CLEAR - NOT A SPOT IN SIGHT,
THEN A SUDDEN RASH GAVE ME A FRIGHT,
THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO STOP
A FIGHT, THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD
DO TO STOP THE BALL GOING OVER THE LINE,
SUDDENLY YOU'RE NO LONGER A FRIEND OF MINE,
NOW IT'S STORMY WHEN ONCE IT WAS FINE,
THERE WAS NO WARNING, NOT EVEN A SIGN;
I REMEMBER THE RUSH, DUST ON THE HORIZON,
I KNEW THAT GOD WAS ALL I COULD RELY ON.

MY TIGER, THEY SAY LIKE A LIGHTHOUSE,
I'M LOUD, THEN QUIET LIKE A MOUSE,
I DON'T DESERVE SUCH POWER, SUCH RESOLVE,
BUT TO SURVIVE, KEEP UP - I MUST BE BOLD;
I AM, IF WE'D HAD A CHILD - WE WOULD
HAVE CALLED HER SAM, DARK CURLY HAIR
AND LEARNING FROM THE TEACHER,
YOUR HEART WOULD MELT IF EVER YOU
WERE TO MEET HER; BOTH, NOT JUST ME,
I'LL WRITE A FORWARD IN MY BOOK
BUT FOR ANNE, I'D NEVER KNOW HOW LONG
IT TOOK, NOT KNOW WHEN TO STOP,
NOT REALIZE HOW MUCH SHE LOVED ME,
HOW FAR, HOW GREAT SHE IS ABOVE DESTINY.