america’s song…

like those before me
i too hear america sing
but from here it sounds
like the rhythmical
sputtering of guns
along the city streets
with a chorus of hissing
tear gas and crackling
of human bonfires
with extra verses of
fusty law-and-order
hail-hail the gang’s all here
god bless ye merry gentlemen
peace on earth
good will to
all
men

not a single word…

i am not gonna say
a single word
i am going to sit here
and keep my mouth shut
you couldn’t pry
one little word from me
about basketball being more important
than medicare extension
or putting unemployed Kentuckians back to work
no honey
i ain’t gonna say a thing
about
washington senators
i’m gonna sit here
and watch wheel of fortune
cuz that’s the only way
i’m getting out of this neighborhood
like i said
not
one
single
word
about how a short-termed white man
is making my life miserable
no honey
not a word will leave these lips
i’m content with the thought
that soon guns will be everywhere
in my neighborhood
cuz you know how us old folks need guns
to keep away teenaged vandals from our door
and honey
with my eye sight
they’ll be lucky
if i can find the damn gun
like i said
not
one
not a single
word
will
leave
these
lips
bout
fools who need
to be
schooled
not
a
single
word