Thin White Duke

Time lights a cigarette and lets you bum it,

   And says: “You only get so many puffs.”

You blow a tenor sax till you become it,

   You use guitar picks to unlock Life’s cuffs,

And find new pearls in music’s oyster bed

   And glitter like a living lightning rod

Who always marches seven steps ahead

   Of those who think that last week’s hit is God.

It must be more than death that makes us care;

   So when there’s only five years left to cry in,

You dance through this godawful sad affair

   Until Time plucks you like a dandelion—

      Your final breath a whisper from the bone:

      “Be wonderful. Reach out. You’re not alone.” 

 

Copyright 2016 Matthew J Wells