AMAZING GRACE AGAIN POEM AND RECORDING OF ME

Voo · AMAZING GRACE AGAIN

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♥Amazing Grace Again♥

I don’t know why I come here, I think

And sit down on the bench, in the rain

Umbrella-ed people hurrying by with their lovers

Look at me like a person insane.

I don’t care, I sniff, caring a lot

And pull up my collared shawl

People with lovers are always so smug

Oh, the heck with the lot of them all!

I watch a drunk man crossing the street

Kicking an old beer can along

Cursing and fussing and fuming at God

And then he suddenly breaks out into song.

Will you look at that? I say to myself

As I watch his whiskered face

Why is it all these drunks all know

Every word of “Amazing Grace”?

A bus roars by and splatters him

And before it’s fumes are gone

He gives them the finger with both dirty hands

And then loudly goes on with his song.

My hair is plastered down on my head

And I’m sure I look a fright

But nobody seems to be watching me now

As they race to beat the fall of night.

The neon signs start flashing on

And the street lamps blink as well

I smile at the broken Oh, Hello bar sign

That appropriately flashes Oh, Hell.

I really should be getting on home

The family will be looking for me

It wouldn’t  be good to miss dinner now

Since I’ve already missed my scones and tea.

The husband will soon be coming from work

The children, from ball games and school

I really shouldn’t be in this park after dark

With the weather so wet and so cool.

Still, I sit and think some more

As the rain falls heavily down

I really like this spot of green

In the pavement gray blight of downtown.

Perhaps I’ll pop into the Bistro, I think

And have a hot cup of latte′

And maybe a roll and a nice piece of pie

Just as soon as the crowds go away.

The maids have lit the fireplaces now

And they’re setting the table, I’m sure

Tess in the kitchen is polishing some silver

And stirring up her soup du jour.

I really should be getting on home

And yet I continue to linger

I look down and see that the cold rain has washed

The diamonds right off of my finger.

No bother, I shrug, I have more diamonds at home

A chest full of jewels and pearls

Bought by past beaus and the one that I chose

When I was a beautiful girl.

Still, life can be trifling and long, I suppose

And money can’t buy happiness

Homes full of fireplaces, they still can be cold

And silver can tarnish, I guess.

I sigh and open up my purse

To take my photos out

And running my hands over them,

I hear a familiar shout.

My Lady, what are you doing here

Sitting in the rain?

Don’t you know you’ll catch your death

What’s this? Are you in pain?

And he takes my arm and lifts me up

And wipes my dripping brow

Don’t look at those pictures, they’ll just make you sad

Come, darling, come on with me now.

And I let him take my tired arm

And lead me tenderly

And off we go as twilight darkens

The whiskered drunk and me.

I’ve  found a nice box for you to sleep in tonight

He tells me with a grin

And I thank him but tell him as nice as you please

That I really can’t ask him in.

That’s alright, My Lady, he says

I’ve a duplex that’s just down the way

And here is a part of a roll that I’ve saved

That will hold you until break of day.

He smells of dirt and turpentine

He smells of death and gin

He looks an old and homeless bum

But he’s my only friend.

I close the box as best I can

And the roll is gone in three bites

The rain on the cardboard is so very loud

But this is one of my better nights.

I don’t know how I came to this

I think as the memories come

Losing my children and losing my mind

My husband and lastly, my home.

The streets are long and lonely now

The friendly faces are few

My coat is threadbare but it was nice

Back when it was new.

I pull the rags close to my chest

And will myself to sleep

Falling now into the dreams

Where love lies ever deep.

I hear a knock upon the door

And wake to find my friend

He hands me a flower and then we take a drink

And sing “Amazing Grace” again.

©By Voo

April 20, 2011

9:50 p.m.