Prologue and Preamble

Tumbling down and catching up
     while cashing in and clocking out,
We can fall behind together
     and forget to get ahead

So give your horse his head
Cover my back--I'll lend a hand.
And, though I may have 2 left feet,
     on my 2 legs I can stand

So I'll grant an extra ince
If I can follow you a mile.

'Cause through a million faces frowning,
I can always find your smile

And I know that while I'm laughing,
I won't have to see you cry

Though you may try to take the low road,
I'll keep calling from the high.

So we can wear it, if the shoe fits--
We have tried on many hats.
And we'll never mind the turncoats
     stealing shirts off of our backs.

I'd buy them for a dollar,
     but a penny for your thoughts--
You tell me, "Money can't buy happiness,
          which I've already got."

Shakefrost

I understand the Autumn,
     moving slow through crackling air,
and cracking ice off of frustrations
standing shake-kneed under cares
          ...and wool caps

And I get the lamentations--
--Summer leaves
and years start sleeping
Fourteen minutes walking hunched up
     in the sweatshirts we are steeped in

But I don't get rescinded handshakes--
     I don't get the budding frowns
     which--like multi-colored leaves--
     begin to blanket on the ground
          ...those don't crunch quite so
          nicely 'neath my feet.

I get the turn of seasons--
understand slowing of streams
and kicking self for counting up the
slights we've only dreamed
           ...but...

Now, I understand vacations
     that one takes
rather than lashing
at the cause of their frustrations
     when staying away sounds smashing...
      ...and yet...
     ...they don't come back sometimes.
     ...so...

I don't understand these hearts
     or why I try to get inside.
But I understand locked fences
     and I know the cold outside.