One of These Days
Narrated by Charles Rammelkamp
Maryland
ONE OF THESE DAYS
When I am old
will they accept what I say
as the absolute truth
and call me maestro
and pin the cross of light on me
And if they do, oh if they do
will it have been worth it after all
all the broken sentences begun again
all the illusory triumphs
which could only happen on Sundays
when all the banks are closed
and the bankrupt churches open
and all the lotteries won
only to find the tickets printed
with evaporating ink
and the last horse in the last race
jumping the last fence to freedom
and I standing in the winner’s circle
with a wreath around my neck
wondering which blond will kiss me
as the mariachi hand plays
Happy Days Are Here Again
or The Battle Hymn of the Republic
and a parade goes by
to the distant plaza
where imbeciles wearing tinsel wings
drop from the trees?