A Knight On The Town
Put some polish on your suspenders, Pops
You know I love it when you shine
Your curled white hair a frosted mound,
Your red bow tie a tongue of mirth.
Make no mistake,
You’re a handsome old fella
From your blisters to your pistols
Silver reflections in skies yet purple.
Don’t ever leave me, mister
Even when your tie gets crooked
And your gait begins to wobble.
I’m a sucker for your stories
In the morning, in the shadows.
Let me listen to you ramble
About how things used to be
And it isn’t all that different
From the way it seems today.
The bluefish still fight like bandits,
That’s the way they’re built for life
The flowers still smell so luscious
And the chili on the stove (with beans).
It’s all senses, sometimes senseless
To go out and test the tides
For as long as children whistle
I will smile when you shiver
And throw more coals onto
Fires deep and friendly.
You’re a man who can’t stay still,
In the house or round the town
So you know I can’t go far away
Not then,
Not now,
Not so very soon.
– Jack Sparacino
