Lie down now and lay your
Tired head like a bird in its nest
Close your eyes now and lay your
Wandering thoughts at rest
And though the chattering brain
Adamantly refuses to slow down
The constantly turning wheels
The ever changing, laden appeals
Blessed sleep will come soon softly
To ensconce the sullen bleakness
On the brow of your sorrowed face
And make the painful past regress
I'm getting old, my eyes are
growing dim. I carefully structure
my remaining time. No juvenile
frivolity; I ponder the nature of
the universe and listen to classical music.
I carefully choose where I go and
with whom I meet. I work it all
out in advance. I choose only skinny
people to be around because I know
it ain't over till the fat lady sings.
I am a man with little learning
But can be wise
I am a man with little silver or gold
But am wealthy
I am a man with peace in my heart
But with a heart of a warrior
I am a man that has been betrayed
But I trust with all I am
I am a man beaten
But I stand victorious
I an a man bruised and battered by the wind
But not broken or tamed
I am a man whose body is ill
But I stand whole
I am a man held down by all the weight
But still I am all-powerful
I am a man with hands tight upon my throat
But I speak freely from the heart
I am a man raped by the corruption of man
But I am true and pure
I am a man with clipped wings
But I take flight with the eagles
I am a man whose heart has been ripped
But it’s stronger and larger than before
I am a man happy
But able to cry
I am a man full of fear
But I stand alone unafraid
I am a man strong and virile
But yet scared
I am a man just human
But I am to some almost divine
I am a man blood, bone, sexual
But I am so much more
I am a man, a warrior
But I hope much more
Take a New Orleans’ night and wrap it around you,
take the crescent river and make a crown of light,
take the St Charles street cars, cabs, horse carriages,
and I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby for your love song.
Take New Orleans' heartbeat,
write a song in chalk, put it on your heart, let it sit,
and while you walk the streets, let it play,
hum it all day--sing it with a sweet New Orleans' girl.