Final note of
life's symphony
resonates with
our sympathy
priest consoles
bells will ring
tears will dry
angels will sing.

I'm just a junkyard dog.
Old scars tell my story.
I'm left water and scraps.
Alone in the dark I sleep
and dream of a better life
and love with *******
I smell beyond fences.
Love just out of reach.

I speak to you from some dirt in a field.
I couldn't say where. We were soldiers in
deadly combat. We all left intact lives to
throw death's dice for some forgotten glory.
We died in piles and found our way to burial
as the months turned to years. Dead brothers
in arms in historic battlefields with plaques.
I miss your last kiss when you said come home.

I'll dance with forbidden
and kiss girls forgiven
drink the devil's brew
as if we never knew
we'd turn a final scene
and both end up clean.

I'm 75 years old. I'm 17 again.
Old memories playing on a screen
in silent black and white, piano
music, time sees where I've been.
Happy Birthday. Blow years away
the candles set the years on fire
burn the bridges and words we say
regret the lost fierce brief desire.

I stood aside
let you ride
life's terrors
fix the errors.

I swallowed cruel
of what I'd done.
My soul was dark
erased the sun.
I abandoned him
I feared anger
echoes Dad's war
rear view chasing
ran into traffic
broke leg legacy.
God rescued you
adopted by family.