Jack, Jack

Jack, Jack

Pass me a Kerouac

Give the dog a home

Feed it through the bars

There is nothing to see

From here

But the road

In the distance

A shimmer

In the haze

A glimmer

In my heart

Tear me a strip

Pull the wool from my eyes

Make a pillow

Lay your head

Take the weight

Climb on my shoulders

Reach for the topmost branch

Haul yourself up

Clear of the cage

Kiss the sky

No respite in the tasting

It is a poor mistress

No better than the earth

Beneath my feet

But it takes more effort

To reach up

Than to fall down

Which is a cheap shot.

Privilege can do that

To a man

Though it is better to see it

Than not.