De Von Grady Hough

Bills, bills, bills! Everybody wants my money, But what makes it all so funny, Is, I'm broker than a "hant."

Bills, bills, bills! They all think I'm full of shekels As a country boy with freckles, And can pay them when I can't.

Bills, bills, bills! If they knew of my condition, I would lack the inhibition Then to hold the pack at bay.

Bills, bills, bills But as long as I don't mention, All I have is good intention, I'll be safe for one more day.

He's a friend, a pal, a partner; I like him fine. For he keeps his own opinions And I keep mine.

We never argue politics, Nor gossip much, We never talk about the heat Or cold, and such.

We have never told each other One single lie; For he is deaf and dumb, you see, And so am I.

Life and living, death and dying; Mortal tides which ebb and flow, Begin and end when tide is lowest, Whether flood be high or low.

So in rising and in falling, Measure not how high they reach, But instead, upon their ebbing, What they leave upon the beach.

Civilized and diplomatic? Not completely yet, I fear, For so often I am tempted, Want to spit right in your ear.

And sometimes, I say politely, "Won't you come again? Do, please," When I'd like to kick your shin-bones From your ankles to your knees.

And, as you sit there babbling on, While I say, "You are such fun," Maybe I would like to grab you, Pull each hair out, one by one.

Partly civilized but fearful, That veneering isn't stout, And I hope that you aren't with me When within breaks through without.

Waves forever moving, Running to and fro; Restless and impatient As they come and go.

Bringing naught with coming, Taking naught away; So like all men living; So like night and day.

I was awaked from troubled sleep Of dreams most disconcerting; My mood was mean and querulous, And thoughts were controverting.

Through latent dream-thought came a song, With gayness effervescing; I could but wonder how bird sang When all was so depressing,

For rain had fallen through the night, And the leaden dawn was chill; Though poorly housed, he shook himself, Continuing joyous trill.

He, exposed to the elements, And I, warmly housed and dry; For shame on me to let a lark, Show a greater poise than I.

I want to be free, Without a wall's protection, Far out in a desert section, With a roof of winking stars And the cool clean sand below.

I want to be free Of unjust obligations, Of trials and tribulations, And my heart made free of scars; Mind swept clean of what I know.

I want to be free Of the friction all about, Superstition, fear and doubt, Of the gossip and the dirt, And complaints on every side.

I want to be free As a fleecy cloud to roam, With the blue skies for my home, Beyond the range of pain and hurt, Beyond the reach of racing tide.

The ruts, the ruts, The same old ruts forever, Day after day I grind away, Afraid to break and sever. Not lack of guts.

So, I complain. I give vent to pent-up hate By the cussing and the fussing; Yet, I weakly hesitate To break my chain.

I'm not a lamb Submitting to a fleecing; For underneath, my claws I sheathe, 'Til time for their releasing, Then, Holy damn!