old man

I fell back,
two steps behind
to watch your heals make their quick escape

and when I ran to your bedside
all I saw was a dreaming child
too small to cradle
and too large to crush

So I fell back on the mattress
popping your dream bubbles
with a newborn's cry

I've sunk you back into the same step,
tied to another lonesome unit,
chained to the chestnut tree
where you'll never grow old

I'll wear you to bone
before you think of motives
or learn to say so

Won't sleep, you'll change
Night has it's way of changing men
and making them old
and loosening knots


So fall back,
one step behind
to long for your escape