Son of a Gun
Nothing is worth doing, you seemed to say
Gin and ice and ash, above the fray
Still you planted your rose gardens
Green-eyed boy, tiny town in wartime
Smoking in the onion patch, petty crimes
But say, you got away
Your whole life you got away with it
Love affairs and gutless lies
Gambling debts and alibis
You were wronged
Your whole life you were wrong
Whatever drove you, forever silent
Rage and wonder, wit and violence
Oh but she was cold, a puppeteer
You should see her now
Life is long, ain't it long
Found a penny, tossed it, put it in your pocket
Oh, you son of a gun
Your sharp eye-teeth under yellow eyes
Tendoned body like a tree, petrified
You held on.
Heart of a daughter, final days
We are so alike, you don't need to say it
Your cheap watch and your wedding ring
Your two suits at the Sally Ann by morning
You were gone
Found a penny, tossed it, put it in your pocket
Oh, you son of a gun
