E.J. Hudak: (Poems 18-22)

Leaving 69 wrapped in khaki alone & cold waiting on the platform for the train to carry him so far again he cursed the coming ball of light in vain the airhorn blew & again he knew he’d be Fort Lincoln bound the hollow chill & a weakening will upon his tongue the taste of a bitter goodbye he thought what men will do to prove to you they’re not afraid to die but the bullet’s pain is not the same as the dull & empty wound of goodbye the piercing squeal of steel on steel he was Fort Lincoln bound the train pulled away his soul like Winter gray as he thought of all the love that cried for more rumbling railroad town he watched the fleeting town his mind had come this way before ‘O airhorn blow to let them know I am Fort Lincoln bound’ but in silent prayer he whispered there ‘God turn this train around!’ Exposition Of Meaning Shoes and socks; Black leather belt; Discarded ivory underwear Man: standing real. Mine’s I I know so many in love with I. most of my friends are in love with I. not a social thought in their mind just I. Just I me mine myself Christians loving I. Jews loving I. The I’s have it covering their eyes. The Oracle Don’t go down to Ja-rooslim! I heard de Oracle say Don’t go down to Ja-rooslim! Dey’s evil dere today! No don’t go down To de serpent’s town Or dey gonna take you away! Don’t go down to Dallas! I heard de Oracle declare Don’t go down to Dallas Dey’s hatred in de air! No don’t go down To dat debbul’s town Or dey gonna take you away! Don’t go down to Memphis I heard de Oracle warn Don’t go down to Memphis Dey’s a death mist on de morn! No don’t go down To dat hatin town Or dey gonna take you away! Stay away from Calla-fornya! I heard de Oracle scream Stay away from Calla-fornya Dey bound to smash your dream! No don’t go down To dat dead man’s town Or dey gonna take you away! But dey turned deaf ears To de Oracle’s fear So dey came And took dem away. Wet Tender Love is the fire that we can never keep burning or can never get started in time to save us all from freezing to death E.J. Hudak: ca. 1969