why cant there just be love
without violence or a war
we could love each other
and live in peace once more
we could learn to share
and live in harmony
make the world a happy place
the way that it should be

If you are sad and lonely
A deeper shade of blue
If you will call me honey
I'll come and take care of you

If your man has made you angry
Where all you see is red
You've got my number baby
I'll come over and hold your hand

If you are thinking maybe
The grass is greener on this side
That's not always true lady
Cause what you have now, I could be that guy

You may have colorful thoughts of me at this moment
But these moments never last
Because every side of the road a man is on
You'll still need to cut the grass...

Your black,
heavy overcoat,
hangs from a hook
on the door.

It looks
haunted now,
a black phantom
of serge, with arms,
without hands,
unbuttoned,
holding a memory
of you inside its hold,
snuggled up within,
safe from the cold.

Your youngest brother
has inherited,
your black coat now,
he wears it higher,
being taller,
but it does not fit
so snug or hold him
so tight as it did you,
a short while ago.

He wore it
to your funeral,
buttoned up neat,
your heavy overcoat,
serge of black;
but he would gladly
have given to you,
if he could have
had you back.

I finger the sleeves,
smooth along
the black serge,
sense you there still,
in my mind's eye,
with black hat and tie
and black shades,
that Blues Brother gaze,
back in the good times,
my son, in your
good young days.