Circus, Circus
At 14 after my father’s death
I walked the woods in circles
Like a lion paces a ring
When the whip cracks
At 28 as my mother died
I tight roped coke lines
Over a boiling sea of alcohol
Today, after 48 years
I returned to Vegas
Walked straight lines,
Up and down the strip,
Circles inside ornate casinos
48 years ago we were 21
Gambling in brand new Circus, Circus
Free drinks and one armed bandits
You have been dead 21 years
Your number came up
Today’s Circus, Circus carpet
Is worn thin as my hair
Both fade life colors
Both trodden by lost bets
I play roulette with a love
That is flesh, blood, bone
Steady heart, resonant mind
A light at the end of this tunnel
A blessing if I believed in such things
Taking chances in lines and circles
Tumbling numbers down a craps table
Caught in temporary orbit roulette wheel
I have yet to cash out
Still drawn to the barker’s call
I will think of you, my friend
As long as the carousel spins
One Step
Wind strikes face
Sun stings eyes
Buffet waves of resistance
The first step
Arduous terrain, loose stone scatter
Underfoot, twisted root
Dreamers languish behind
With minds of vaporous deeds
Feet soft like newborns
Each ascending step
Grows blister then callous
Progress slow, distance builds
Risen from shallow desire
To rock strewn summit
Life’s lofty vista
From the valley of dreams
Public Domain
Let our love
Stand the test of time
Like wax record tunes
Ear wormed for a century
Let all love
John Phillip Sousa march
Down American dream streets
That grandpas and toddlers roam
Without royalties or payola
Free to all
Who lifts their voice
Who strums the chords
Kicks the beat
Let all love
Hang in the air
Float to the cosmos
For all willing
To make it their own