Anticipating the End Credits

Let's subtract these aches and pains
And add a long walk through the rain--
--the rain drenched streets and sing
    the alphabet...
    An A-to-Z list of the shit
    We'd just as soon try to forget
And come home late
Drenched to the skin

Let's turn back the clocks to when
We weren't hated by all our friends
--our friends who never used
    to let us down
    And just go back if only we can
    to the days when we were men
Who could always
Be counted on

But the hour now is getting late
And I can't seem to shake these aches
That late nights always start inside my chest

So now with swelling throat and greying hairs
My aging regrets bid farewell
    to these
    dark avenues

 

(May 16, 2010)