Song To Arthur
Song to Arthur
Ah Rimbaud if you only lived now
(that is saying you don't)
I believe your time bas come
you would have no reason
to defy
define
or change the time
it has all been done
modern beyond you could relax . . .
work as a cashier
serve food on a platter
or do nothing at all
disabled
there is no need
there is only infernal analysis
of nothing
visions are vain
and although no one would laugh at you
you would be ignored (quietly)
you could dye your hair blue
paint your lips too
frolic in the streets
dress madly
find fame in this fashion
because farsight is preposterous
as is manbood
you could giggle your way through
your boy/girl daze
be what you will
only a toy
no one can care
spew out in anger
ah yes, a sign of intelligence
just don't act out your madness
cause you'II only find patronization
your picture in the papers
forgotten tomorrow
not even an oddity
just continuing current events
silly redundant
ho hum
you might form a musical band
your only hope for attention
what with painting and poetry
deader than you
music is the only kill left
but you'd better hurry
there's not much remaining
the over ampted guitar
and the blathering saxophone
are the choice weapons with swagger
and they're working overtime
leaving the corpse for the synthesizer
you can sing out your message
it won't really matter
they'll call you pretentious
and tear up your motives
complain that your voice
is hard on the ears
I'm telling you boy
it's not worth the trip
but I'm telling you too
it's all that there is
so you just get a job
dispense with all thought
hang out in your spare time
shop 'til you drop
consume it all up
put yourself on parade
no one will notice
for more than a day
so you will stay busy
to keep individual
when it has all been done
we have no needs
just relax
try a new drink
in a new restaurant
but please don't write verse
about that or anything else
pity the point
the drugs are the same
there you may find some comfort
they still work their magic
but I'm warning you about those fantasies
phenomenal concepts
you won't keep your friends
if you can't keep the laughter
get behind in your antics
take it too serious
no, the playground won't have you
you will find yourself listening to jazz music
in the privacy of your season in hell
watch out!
Ah Rimbaud if you only lived now
oh what a lark
of a life you would have
no dreaming
no devils
no gods
no nature
no history
the age of the icon
with nothing behind it
changes each day for the consumption of man
a sense of irony is your only requirement
so drop the surveillance
we now have television to guide us along
with the recording industry
providing the rest
no, we don't need you kid
blue hair and all
I suggest getting into computers
'cause I hear they're the future
where a man with a vision
can turn it to money
do what you can
and don't make waves
no one is listening
sorry man, I got my headphones in
there's one consolation
for time on the hands
one thing has not changed
not even the style
there is always a war
the need for some guns
you pick the climate
and I'm sure you will find work
choose any side
the concepts don't matter
this too has all been done
weapons have no politics
they just do their job
when properly loaded
and that my dear boy
is where you will fit in
Oh you say you're weary of fighting
well now aren't we all
but no one will listen
some remain hard
tough with intention
to posture and plunder
wade knee deep in blood
they've seen it in the movies
and boy it's exciting
the perfect revenge
for not getting enough?
getting too much?
oh well, it's the spirit that counts
Ah Rimbaud if you only lived now
I'm afraid you would find
not much has changed
we're closer to death
the tragedy human
is still the best laugh
bewildered bequiled
so hard to believe
grows truer each day
impotency rules
what more can I say
such didactic flair
as you smile benignly
safe from the progress of man
-Gail Burke