PART VI
She stepped across the tracks
And got her foot stuck between the rails.
Here comes the train, and the man
Sees the lady struggling to get free
But he knows he won't be able to stop.
So he says "full steam ahead"
And the engine coughs up smoke
As more fuel is fed to the fire.
The conductor closes his eyes
And says a prayer....
But, there is no impact.
Another man, walking by
Saw the damsel in distress
And risked trampling a female's pride
To save her from death.
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Just in time to hear a horn blow,
she turned a hopeful eye - she had to know;
then watched her lover be joined with that ship
far below
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"What happened to the damsels in distress?
The funny way that ladies used to dress?
Women who cared for their children all day
and never dreamed there might be a better way.
The virgins, expected to be sweet and chaste
to make good of time--marry in haste.
It is to those flowers, Mom, I now compare
you and your time and all you did bear.
You fought for femininity and all you believed
and thought my generation was being deceived.
For, a mother, it's true, must sacrifice some things,
but her dreams take flight on her children's wings."
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Broken branches, a storm has passed,
and shattered pieces of a broken heart
caught on the wind--whisper of my past...
"I loved you once, and might love again."
"I hate you..."
"Alright, you have made yourself plain."
Just like that, dear, you were gone like the rain.
The storm has passed, and I am alone.
The rain and the tears are all done,
and as I sweep away the broken branches,
I dream of all my new-found chances
to rebuild--after the storm
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There's a man in the moon, who often visits me.
As the Sun goes down, he steals away noiselessly.
He keeps my company through the night
and bathes my body in his soft light.
He strokes my head and hears each breath
and prays that I don't give way to Death.
His sighs are the breeze, which comfort brings
as through the tall trees and over brooks, it sings.
His voice is the nightingale, who sadly croons
and mourns a love that's lost to loons.
As daylight streaks that deep night sky,
and I awake in my bed where we would lie,
the man in the moon is gone home to Sun,
and I am alone again--until day is done.
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"Like a damn sleazy snake in the grass...!!"
"Dad, I told you, just let it pass..."
"Son, if you try tellin' me one more time...
"I have a right to make ya mind..."
"Your son is right, dear. Just let it go..."
"Huh? Pfft, what'sa woman know...?"
"Pa-pa! Please, don't leave us here,
"for I can feel that danger's near.
"Stay with us...don't go out tonight;
"I want to see you, come new light."
"Now, little starling, don't you fret;
"your father has many a day left yet.
"But, someday when you're old enough,
"you'll want a man who's strong and tough.
"So, tonight I go...to show you all
"your old man can still cause a brawl."
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You see Death in her wake
Yet you pretend that he's not there
Her hair is gold, like a halo on her head
And she looks just like a goddess - it is said
But, her shadow is the Beast
yet has no horns nor hooves
She leads and her shadow moves
So, her evil is covert, and harder to detect
You feel its essence and know its presence
But, it's still easy to reject
That she's anything more than good
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Those folks in the fold-up chairs
are able to sit anywhere they please,
because their seats are easily moved...
But, they'll stay where they are
as if they had no choice in the matter--
I think they prefer it that way...
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There's an old man I always catch
Sitting on the doorsteps
Each one in turn--up and down the block
I swear, he does it every day--it's creepy
And if I ever wanted to,
I could set him to a clock
Mr. Hannon's at six-thirty
Mrs. Green's at ten
Mr. Morrow at twelve forty-five...
He goes up and down the block--ev'ry day
And sits a spell upon each doorstep
To catch his breath--or perhaps to dream
Maybe just waiting for some kind heart
To let him in--to talk
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When you turn the key
You'll let those demons free
And Life will be a misery
Pandora! Dear, Pandora!
Leave the box alone
Now, you run along home
For, once you are done...
Oh! Pandora! Fool, Pandora!
Life was hard enough
When men were tough
Now, even they are rough
Pandora! Poor, Pandora!
A child-like curiosity
You felt no animosity
But, we can't escape your folly
Oh! Pandora! Dead, Pandora!
We'll remember you...
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