As I search this anxious city for something pure something good I carry a hundred heavy dreams I don’t mind when the sadness hits see I’ve been drinking with the poets they follow me down every street I rest beneath the crayon blue sky I see my heroes scratching their bellies behind the sun I see the threads of my mothers summer dress I see the ghost of her flying like a painted bird I try to hold her like a secret I untangle this mind of loose strings maybe if I remain silent I’ll become obsolete maybe if I write words that are worth remembering I’ll feel complete I listen to the wind whispering apologies maybe they can sell my dreams in the market place with the cattle and the rattling of chains I think about quite rooms with naked shadows in every lonely corner I think about small birds crying out for the crumbs of your love and if you can hear me I wish that you knew me when I was still kind … Clay.M