The man in the attic
with the run-away shoes
will be running to win but
is likely to lose
trying to decipher
which lane he should choose
to escape a really harsh encounter
There are only two roads
which one should he take
one stops at the airport
the other's a fake
he could last forever
if given a break
he might even live 'til tomorrow
so he shaves off his beard
and whitens his cheeks
he has to be careful
which language he speaks
he looks in mirror
he thinks he's complete
but the mirror is broken and shattered
He tightens his runners
and pulls down his hat
his former employer
knows where he's at
but just in case
he carries a bat
But the bat's not a Louisville slugger
He recites the Koran
as moves through the streets
taking some comfort
from the words he repeats
but Taliban's waiting
there are no retreats
and the plane is now on the runway
Taliban curses
he shows no surprise
the fool thinks he's fooled him
with his western disguise
but Taliban smells him
and sees fear in his eyes
and he brandishes a whip made from leather
run-away shoes
no time to react
but he feels the bite
of the whip on his back
he turns to confront him
he means to attack
but he is no fighter this runaway runner
he swings his cheap bat
but it misses the man
so he starts running faster
than ever he ran
he hides in a corner
to fool Taliban
and at first he seems like the winner
while hidden, he pictures
a land made of snow
and freedoms that promise
to let your mind flow
no need for translation
in knowledge we'll grow
if we avoid the backwash of our burden
Taliban raises his pistol
no weary word said
he's a war-weary veteran
no fear of the dead
a twitch of his finger
and as A leads to Zed
he can smile at the body before him
On the plane there is high jubilation
as it leaves Afghani airspace
just one lonely seat being empty
a symbol of a nation's disgrace
You asked for it Margaret and here it is. Thanks again for your comments last night and in your review. They mean a lot coming from you.
No comments:
Post a Comment