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Un-stately Swans

by JJ Johnson

An eagle eyes an angel on the meaty side of town
Where the the ladies are awaiting to hawk their wares around
I see her strutting at the bus stop every evening
Work was long and oh how I could find comfort in her breathing
My first step down brings her sweet voice as candy to my ears
She asks me each evening but my response she never hears
Now if I was the only one, I'd have said "yes" long ago
I'd take her in and do the sin but my names's not John, I'm Joe

A winter snow with nowhere to go to get out of the cold
The bus slides to a stop, I get off to silence gone unsold
Surely you'll catch your death if you remain out in this storm
I ask if you'd like to sit by the fire, drink something warm
But you say he's watching and expects payment for the time
So I say send him my way to collect mine for his crime
It's his turn to pay for the rape built to enslave his con
Locked shackles bind you to this corner 'til he's dead and gone

Allow your mind to open the next chapter yet un-penned
Let my heart teach yours that beatings pulse is meant to mend
Let my touch bring feeling to the passion lost inside your heart
Let me walk you to a door that opens to a fresh start
Let me open your eyes where the future lies beyond
Let me free your hands of the oppression in those bonds
Let me set your feet free to walk through fields that know no fear
Let my voice say the words no mouth would ever let you hear

Let my feet carry you across the sunrise of a new day
Let me crack the dawn in lieu of spreading crack to lay
Let me show the light you shine is less red, fading into blues
Let me display the way to any path you choose
Let me assure you that he bears redundant blame
Let my arms comfort your soul and push away the shame
Let me lift the weight off your wings to see you carry on
Let the blade of the Knight come to free an un-stately swan

02/15/1995

Author's Note: The bus stop was on the corner of State St and Swan. I lived on Maple Ave which was accessed by Swan, Hawk and Eagle streets from State St. This poem was combined from two older works I wrote in 1993 and 1995 while living there. I drove by the other day and sure enough, girls were still working that corner. I wonder what ever became of those who were there 11-21 years ago...

Posted on 09/30/2011
Copyright © 2024 JJ Johnson

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Mo Couts on 10/01/11 at 01:27 PM

From the first line all the way to the last, I was entranced and wanting more and more. Lovely read and VERY interesting, too.

Posted by Lori Blair on 10/31/11 at 09:33 PM

This is most Excellent JJ..I only wish I had read it sooner..I can't even say enough! Brilliant!

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