The Bars of 55th Street by jumoke boston

The Bars of 55th Street

!"#$"%& He toed the ./ne on sha3y Ground8 Sun./:ht ;a3es the tears on H/s fa=e .oo3 ./3e >/a;onds8 ?eathers f.y @/.d.y as he Aets the b/rd :o free8 He s=rea;s /nto the =a.; Cf the n/:ht8 At the stars8 At the trees 8 Ento the @/nd8 At h/;se.f8 ?eathers f.y @/.d.y as he .ets The b/rd :o free8 The tra/n =o;es As he .ay on the tra=3s GaHH/n:8 But he :ets uH before /t H/ts8 He toes the ./ne on sha3y Ground8 Joon./:ht ;a3es The tears on h/s fa=e .oo3 A/3e d/a;onds8 He eats h/s food8 >r/n3s h/s dr/n38

Gary 0. 0. Boston

And =ont/nues to breathe8 And h/s eyes oHen as they >o eKery ;orn/n:8 He b./n3s8 He @a.3s8 He ./Kes8 >esH/te .ay/n: on the tra=3s8 He unt/ed the noose And H.u=3ed the feathers ?ro; h/s hands as he .et That b/rd :o free8 He toed the ./ne on so./d Ground8 Et @as h/s body that @as Sha3/n:8 Hun=hed oKer ./3e a Jan @eathered @/th a:e8 Hun=hed oKer ./3e a ;an Lho /s afra/d of the sun8 He aHHroa=hed the ./ne8 Mo@er/n: under the ./:ht8 Et @as so br/:ht8 The b/rd san: /n h/s hands And shuddered8 And sNu/r;ed To be free8 Lhat =ou.d he do But .et /t :o8 Ef /t d/d not @ant to stay8

The Bars of 55th Street

And he ob./:ed on=e he H/t the door@ay8 Be=ause he adored /t He .et /t :o8 And feathers f.e@ @/.d.y as He .et the b/rd :o free8 Et @ent to soar a.one L/th other b/rds8 To see /f the s3y @as as H/:h and as b.ue As /t had a.@ays drea;ed8 The ./:ht of the sun ;ade h/s Tears .oo3 ./3e d/a;onds8 The ./:ht of the sun ;ade h/s Eyes f./=3er ./3e =and.es8 The b/rd f.e@ h/:h8 And he @at=hed /t unt/. /t @as no ;oreP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

The Bars of 55th Street

M.ar/ty Ro=3s .ay the;se.Kes Cn the :round /n front Cf ;e A/3e fa..en do;/noes8 A Hath /s =reated8 Ea=h stone reHresent/n: a thou:ht8 So;e ja::ed8 So;e @orn8 So;e br/:ht and s;ooth8 But surrender/n: to ;e a.. the Lh/.e as E @a.3 atoH the/r ?a=ades8 E 3nead the; as E @a.3 uHon The; Cf a.. ;a./=e8 And .eaKe the; /n ;y @a3e As a =.oud of :r/;e and >ust8 Jy K/s/on /s =.ear aheadP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

A/fe A/3e a Boo3 Read ;e8 And you @/.. 3no@ Jy heart8 Read ;e8 And you @/.. 3no@ Lho E a;8 ESKe for:otten8 But ;y heart hasnTt8 Et sHea3s e;Hty Lords8 ?u.. of .oKeU and ./fe And des/re8 Et sHea3s of a sou. Battered by /tse.f8 And .ost /n the Batt.e of The years8 A sou. that =an b.a;e Goth/n: but /tse.f8 Ets de;/se a Hrodu=t Cf sto.en youth8 J/sH.a=ed ./fe8 E a; the =u.Hr/t8 But ;y heart 3no@s Better8 E sHea3 ;a./:nant eK/.8 But ;y heart

The Bars of 55th Street

VerseKeres8 E oHen uH the :ates to >eath8 And ;y heart sh/e.ds Je fro; /t8 Et /s a hard ./fe8 Be/n: a==ountab.e8 Be/n: honest8 Lh/.e =o@er/n: under A K/K/d fa=ade8 EtTs hard and often ?oo./sh8 To ./Ke /ns/de and neKer Cut8 E f/nd :ent.e =o;fort8 En ;y 3no@/n: heart8 Lhen a.. e.se fa/.s8 And shuts do@n8 E =an =ount on /t To breatheU to @a.3U To =arry on8 Read ;e8 And you @/.. 3no@ ;y heart8 Read ;e8 And you @/.. 3no@ @ho E a;888 ESKe for:otten8 But ;y heart hasnTtP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

The Bars of 55th Street

The Sh/ft/n: Stor; Wour f/n:ers @ere the Thunder that ro..ed Throu:h ;y L/nter ra/n8 And ru;b.ed throu:h Jy autu;n stor;8 The sun d/d not =o;e out8 But E fe.t the eXfo./at/n: sand Cf another ./fe8 Lhere =ho/=es are snat=hed YH ./3e sHr/n: fru/t8 And neKer :.aZed oKer by a troub.ed frost888 Wour eyes burned a ho.e stra/:ht throu:h ;e8 And ;y o@n @e..ed uH8 They are the =r/sH b.ades of :reen that SHrouted /n ;y sa.ted earth8 Wou are the stren:th that eXHosed ;y Lea3ness88 Aon: enou:h for ;e to =u.t/Kate /tP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Sunr/se E =.ose ;y eyes8 Just to oHen the; A:a/n /n another A/fe8 Cn the oHHos/te s/de Cf the sunset8 Jy ba::a:e .eft at The door8 Jy ./fe debts Va/d /n fu..8 E .oo3 beh/nd ;e8 And see the A/tt.e boy Stand/n: /n the >oor@ay8 E 3nee. do@n To be =.oser to H/;8 Lhat a .oKe.y s/:ht He /s8 Rad/ant8 Beaut/fu.8 BraKe8 E @eeH as E .oo3 /nto H/s eyes8 And he s;/.es and L/Hes ;y tears a@ay8

The Bars of 55th Street

H/s s;/.e /s a :ate@ay8 Ea=h tooth a 3ey un.o=3/n: The truths of ;y re:rets8 He hu:s ;e as E AHo.o:/Ze ?or the ./fe that E thou:ht ESd ru/ned8 Had @asted8 And @/th a :.an=eU he ?or:/Kes ;e8 A.. /s for:/Ken8 A.. /s =a.;ed8 He tou=hes ;y e;Hty so=3ets8 And eyes reaHHear8 He tou=hes ;y head8 And ;y /;a:/nat/on returns8 He tou=hes ;y =hest8 And ;y heart beats on=e ;ore8 \AoKe\U he says8 Just that one @ord8 AoKe8 He Ho/nted /nto the d/stan=e And E turned fro; h/;8 E stood uH to see The sun r/s/n: fro; /ts H/bernat/on8 Ets s.u;ber8 Le he.d hands as /t as=ended8 H/:hU and br/:htU and stron:8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

And as E fe.t /ts @ar;th S@eeH oKer ;eU that S@eetU de./=ate e;bra=eU E .oo3ed do@n to see the boy :one8 But E fe.t h/s stren:th @/th/n Jy bonesU And h/s =oura:e @/th/n Jy Ke/ns8 ESd sHent years .oo3/n: uHon ;y Mh/.dhood as a seHarate journey8 ESd sHent so ;any years deta=hed fro; The =h/.d that E @as8 Et too3 .oKe to re;e;ber8 AoKe to for:/Ke8 AoKe to =onne=t @/th @ho E @as8 AoKe to see8 E .eft that door@ay8 And d/d not .oo3 ba=3P

The Bars of 55th Street

Gary 0. 0. Boston

VerseKeran=e Le ./Ke Lhen @e =an .et :o8 Le .oKe Lhen @e =an ho.d on To @hat ;eans ;ost8 Le .earn Lhen @e =an re;e;ber Lhat @e .et :o8 And @hy @e need the Moura:e to ho.d onP

&"#&"%& Just rea=h out your hand to Je and E @/.. =o;e8 CHen your ar;s and E L/.. .oKe you8 S;/.e and E L/.. ./Ke a:a/nP

The Bars of 55th Street

The Garden E 3ne@ a ;an on=e Lho @as dy/n:8 So;e un3no@n a/.;ent E th/n3 /t @as8 VeoH.e used to th/n3 That th/s ;an =ou.d ?.y8 Mou.d do no @ron:8 But death @ou.d not >eny h/;8 He 3ne@ th/s8 And be:an @or3 on A :arden8 E th/n3 he thou:ht that Gro@th @ou.d =ure h/;8 He.H h/;8 Gro@th of so;e sort8 A/fe of so;e sort8 He bou:ht a.. the seeds He =ou.d f/nd8 RosesU ././esU daffod/.s And the ./3e8 And set out to H.ant/n: Ea=h one @/th =are8 He sa@ death Ea=h t/;e he .oo3ed /n The ;/rror8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

But ./fe as he :aZed Ento h/s ne@ =reat/on8 The H.ants @or3ed Hard8 M.un: to ./fe8 Sho@ed th/s dy/n: ;an Ho@ ./fe =ou.d be ./Ked8 VroKed to h/; that Et =ou.d be ./Ked8 H/s on.y H.easure .eft Las to be a;on:st H/s ne@ fr/ends8 Ta.3/n:U tou=h/n:U be/n:8 The ;an that he Mou.d no .on:er be Cn the outs/de8 Et @as un=ond/t/ona.8 En the endU he rea./Zed Lhat /t too3 h/; a ./fet/;e to See8 He .earned /t .ate /n the Ga;e8 But no .earn/n: eKer =o;es too .ate8 That @/th .oKeU =o;es A/fe8 And @/th ./feU =o;es Vea=eP

The Bars of 55th Street

Gary 0. 0. Boston

! arri&ed li*e +ater, and li*e +ind +ill go. Gary J. J. Boston

The Bars of 55th Street

A@a3en/n: L/.. you be a@a3e /n The ;orn/n: @hen the Sun r/ses8 Eyes @/de a@a3e8 And nostr/.s dra@/n: /n The =.a;or of the Vre8da@n =h/..8 L/.. you be a@a3e @hen Wour eyes oHen And =aHture the f/rst :./;Hse Cf ne@born br/:ht8 The ne@ ./fe a@a/t/n: The tou=h of your fear.ess Hand8 Wour o.d ./fe jea.ous of the SHr/n: /n your steH8 Wou @/.. be a@a3e @hen The ;orn/n: =o;es8 And you @/.. 3no@ your H.a=e /n Th/s =o;H./=ated @or.d8 ^no@ your HurHose /n Th/s =ro@dedU e;Hty H.a=e8 And understand the dest/ny WouSKe =.ut=hed s/n=e B/rthP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Sh/ft/n: Se=onds Ea=h se=ond /s the J/rror of a for:otten >rea;8 A ;e;ory of The Hast8 A surrea. Hast As .u=/d as a S/.ent @/nd8 >r/ft/n:88 Tru.y8 Ea=h steH @e ta3e J/rrors a HreK/ous Cne En a Hara..e. ./feP

_"`$"%& Mhee3bones as h/:h as o.d de=/duous H/nes8 A s;/.e as @/de as red@ood8 A hu: as t/:ht as a :arden K/ne8 A .oKe as stron: as oa3P

The Bars of 55th Street

Gary 0. 0. Boston

$"`a"%& E @as neKer afra/d to try ne@ Th/n:s /n ;y youth8 E deKe.oHed fear ;/d@ay Throu:h ;y ./fe8 So;e@here or another E sa@ doubt8 And /nje=ted /t /nto ;y ./fe As a d/st/n=t Hoss/b/./ty8 So;e@here a.on: the ./ne E EXHer/en=ed fa/.ure8 And rea./Zed that /t @as a Vart of ./fe8 E H/=3ed uH these ./tt.e tra/ts8 But E for:ot ho@ to seHarate The; fro; rea./ty8 E for:ot ho@ to use the; As a steHH/n: stone8 A =ata.yst for su==ess8 EnsteadU E used the; as A buoy8 A ro=3 That E =./n: to t/:ht.y8 An e;bra=e so t/:ht That fa/.ure and doubt haKe Aeft an /;Hr/nt on ;e A/3e ru;H.ed sheets and H/..o@=ases after a G/:ht of deeH s.eeH8

The Bars of 55th Street

T/;e @/.. /nstru=t you on ho@ To d/fferent/ate bet@een the T@o8 The sHeed of Hass/n: days ?or=es you to ref.e=t And re;e;ber8 Et @/.. ur:e you to as3 buest/ons That on.y you =an ans@er8 Et @/.. H.a=e Wou on that road that Stret=hes /nto the hor/Zon8 E @as neKer afra/d to try Ge@ th/n:s /n ;y youth8 A.@ays outsHo3en8 Brash8 Ynre.ent/n:8 Bo.d8 An /nd/K/dua.8 Ynt/. E @as for=ed to Earn affe=t/on8 Thrust /nto a @or.d Lhere su==ess @as not So easy8 A @or.d of =o;Het/t/on8 A @or.d of others Lho shared ;y sense Cf /nd/K/dua./ty8 And ;at=hed ;y unre.ent/n:

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Bouts of outsHo3en =oura:e8 E @as just another boy there8 A .one.y boy str/HHed of h/s tou:h ?a=ade8 E @as thrust /nto a @o;b that Jay haKe fa=/./tated :ro@th8 An enK/ron;ent /n @h/=h E ;ay HaKe eX=e..ed under the r/:ht Mond/t/ons8 A H.a=e @here ;y for;er se.f Shou.d haKe thr/Ked8 Stron: boy re=eded8 AtroHh/ed8 And be=a;e ./tt.e boy8 T/;/d8 Afra/d8 Afra/d that be/n: h/;se.f @ou.d Mast h/; /nto the nether @or.d8 Afra/d that be/n: h/;se.f @ou.d not Be enou:h8 E .earned fear s/;H.y by a=3no@.ed:/n: Et8 E .earned doubt just by be./eK/n: that Et eX/sted8 And as E bro3e do@n They @ere ;y ./feboat8 E f.oated /n a =o.d and deso.ate sea8 And E sa@ su==ess on d/stant /s.ands8 E sa@ haHH/ness8

The Bars of 55th Street

E sa@ .au:hter8 And E sa@ deter;/nat/on8 And E @at=hed /t fro; afar En the safety of ;y ./feboat8 Ynder the =oKer of ;y s/.en=e8 E tr/ed to Hadd.e to@ard the; But a.@ays :aKe uH on=e E rea./Zed that Gett/n: to the; @ou.d reNu/re @or38 Effort8 So E sat there by ;yse.f8 A H/t/fu. boy Turned /n@ard ;an8 St/.. afra/d to Hadd.e to Harad/se8 St/.. @/nded after a bout of stro3es8 St/.. Nu/tt/n: @hen the s@eat be:/ns To fa..8 But the sa.t of s@eat =an on.y ;as3 The sa.t of tears for so .on:8 E @as neKer afra/d to try ne@ th/n:s /n Jy youth8 T/;e has /nstru=ted ;e on ;any th/n:s8 And ESKe had noth/n: but t/;e8 A.one on ;y ./fe raft8 To soa3 uH an o=eanSs @orth of /ts tea=h/n:s8 The :reatest be/n:8 There /s no fa/.ure unt/. you a=3no@.ed:e that There /s fa/.ureP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

The Bars of 55th Street

a"`c"%& E @on se=ond H.a=e /n the Sno@s of ^ansas8 E sHent a @/nter afternoon Je;or/Z/n: @ords And .etters8 Shout/n: the; out to Jud:es /n=h by /n=h t8h8o8r8o8u8:8h8 Las the =ha..en:e that E Jet and =onNuered8 E ;ade ;y @ay to th/s f/na.e By defeat/n: =.ass;ates And Heers8 Cne .ast test 3eHt ;e ?ro; the stateSs best8 E @andered the oHaNue ha..s Cf th/s s=hoo.8 The sno@ outs/de =ast/n: a Br/:ht natura. ./:ht8 Jy ;other tra/./n: beh/nd L/th a s.e@ of @ords Wet to re;e;ber8 En one ear8 Cut the other8 Ynt/. E h/t the sta:e8 Eyes star/n: ba=3 /nto ;/ne En Hure s/.en=e8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

^/ds droHHed one by one Ynt/. t@o re;a/ned8 Ba=3 and forth @e @ent8 So :ood @ere @e that The d/ff/=u.ty @as /n=reased By :rade .eKe.s8 But @e H.o@ed throu:h the; A/3e a bu..et tra/n8 Ynt/. E heard Vendu.u;8 She as3ed ;e to sHe.. Hendu.u;8 Lhat @as a Hendu.u; E as3ed ;yse.f8 Jy !th :rade ;/nd =ou.d not >eK/se an ans@er8 H8e8n8d:e8 And ./3e that /t @as oKer8 He :ot h/s troHhy due to ;y error8 And E :ot a H/=ture ta3en @/th ;y b.ue r/bbon8 Le droKe ho;e /n the sno@ that Afternoon8 Se=ond best /n the sno@s of ^ansasP

The Bars of 55th Street

$"##"%5 A bu/et Jea. She s/ts a.one8 A du..U f.a==/d s;/.e SHread th/n.y a=ross Her fa=e8 Her ./Hs are t/:ht8 Vursed8 And her s;/.e /s as ?a3e as her enthus/as;8 She eats her food neat.y8 bu/et.y8 But her eyes are not L/th her ;ea.8 They are sHread out a;on: The thron:s of Hatrons And s;/./n: =usto;ers8 Her :aZe /s f/Xed on Her surround/n:s8 And her eyes sHea3 Her .one./ness8 She s/ts a.one8 Just one at a tab.e Bu/.t for four8 And E fee. her .one./ness8 EtSs @r/tten so Ha/nfu..y Cn her fa=e8 E fee. sad be=ause

Gary 0. 0. Boston

E re=o:n/Ze a H/e=e of her /n a.. Cf us8 Ea=h of us has sat /n her V.a=e8 En ;y ;/ndU E be::ed ?or her to .eaKe8 Et hurt to see that ?or so;e reason8 She soon :ot uH8 Her an3.es s@o..en @/th un=o;fortab.e Wears8 Jy heart un=o;fortab.e At the s/:ht of her bu/et ;ea.P

The Bars of 55th Street

5"&"%& Wou are a :host /n ;y Thou:hts8 E ;ust see you a:a/n8 Wou @ander the ha..s Cf ;y ;/nd8 A/3e the f./=3er of a Mand.e8 Wou e=ho /n and out8 E @at=h you /n those Ha..s8 ?.oat/n: about ./3e Lay@ard s;o3e8 A/;.ess and free8 E ;ust see you A:a/n8 Those ha..s are e;Hty EX=eHt for you8 They haKe been str/HHed Cf the/r @orth8 Str/HHed of the go/=es that on=e E..u;/nated the;8 And /t /s =o.d8 E ;ust see you a:a/n8 E for=e ;y @ay /nto Those ha..s And E =ry out for

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Wou8 Ynt/. ;y Ko/=e =an Ytter no ;ore8 And E =.a@ ;y Lay throu:h the bu/et of dar3ness8 Lr/th/n: a.on: the @a..s8 ?ee./n: ;y @ay to@ard Wou En a ;aZe of ?renZy and ant/=/Hat/on8 Lhy @onSt you Mo;e to ;e8 Wou are a :host /n ;y Thou:hts8 Roa;/n: the ha..s of ;y J/nd8 And E sear=h for you8 E =annot tou=h you Lhen you aHHear8 E =annot sHea38 E =an on.y @at=h you fro; A d/stan=e8 And =a.. out to you8 And run to you8 Cn.y to haKe you Kan/sh A/3e the f./=3er of a =and.e8 Wou e=ho out ./3e Lay@ard s;o3e8

The Bars of 55th Street

And a.. :oes dar38 Wou are a :host /n ;y thou:hts8 And E ;ust see you a:a/nP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

_"`#"%& There /s ./fe Ynder the s;a.. ;ound of the Anth/..8 g/brant ./fe h/dden Beneath earth and effort8 Beyond @hat /s @/tnessed At f/rst :.an=e8 So /t /s @/th the Kast b.ue o=eansU >ar3 and SHra@./n: and A/;/t.ess8 Beneath the =hoH Cf the deserted @aKes A/es an earthen @or.dU A./Ke and true8 Aoo3 at ;e and te.. ;e @hat you see8 Te.. ;e @hat you see at f/rst :.an=e8 And E @/.. sho@ you LhatSs beneathP

The Bars of 55th Street

5"#&"%& Jy AoKe E a; .os/n: @/thout Wou8 The ra=e8 The :a;e8 The batt.es8 The @ar8 E a; Nuest/on/n: L/thout you8 Jy ./fe8 Jy ;ean/n:8 Jy HurHose8 Jy fate8 Lhat haKe E .ost By .os/n: you8 EKeryth/n:8 Lhat d/d you Ga/n by .eaK/n: Jeh Lhat @/.. E do L/thout your .oKeh Wour s;/.e that Mou.d turn n/:ht Ento day8 Lhat does /t ;ean To be @/thout youh E a; .os/n:8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Ea=h ;orn/n: @hen Jy eyes a@a3e8 E a; .os/n:8 Ea=h afternoon sHent At @or3 /n ted/u;8 E a; .os/n:8 Ea=h n/:ht sHent A.one8 Aon:/n:8 E a; .os/n:8 Ea=h drea; a Ref.e=t/on of you8 The ra=e8 The :a;e8 The batt.es8 The @ar8 Jy ./fe8 Jy ;ean/n:8 Jy HurHose8 Jy fate8 Aost @/thout you8 E =a.. for you But you donSt =o;e8 E breathe for youU Wet ;y .un:s re;a/n E;Hty8 E .oo3 for youU But ;y eyes see on.y stran:ers8 Jy .oKe @as not enou:hP

The Bars of 55th Street

!"$%"%& c WearsU ## Jonths E @ent to the sHot on Lhat @ou.d haKe been The day8 The sun @as /n the =orner Cf the s3y And =ast /ts .ate afternoon Shado@8 Jy heart @as /n the =enter Cf ;y =hest And shed .ate afternoon Tears8 SeKen years s/n=e @eSd been There8 And E returned to The sHot on @hat @ou.d HaKe been the day8 A so.e;n @/nd f/.tered Throu:h the .eaKes on The budd/n: trees And set the; af.utter8 E :aZed at the; throu:h Sa.ty eyes8 Jy K/s/on d/storted By ;o/sture8 E @/Hed the; And drea;ed that E sa@

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Wou Aoo3/n: at ;e A:a/n8 At that sHot on @hat @ou.d haKe been The dayP

The Bars of 55th Street

Gary 0. 0. Boston

!"a"%& E read your body8 Ea=h :oose bu;H a sHot of Bra/..e @/th a story8 Ea=h sh/Ker the turn Cf a Ha:e8 Ea=h breath the end/n: That youSd a.@ays HoHed forP

$"`%"%& The bea=on @as there8 Et sa@ ;e @hen so ;any Cthers d/d not8 Et s;/.ed for ;e @hen E =ou.d not8 And /t burned /nto the G/:ht @hen E =ou.d not See8 E =ou.d see /t =.ear.y8

The Bars of 55th Street

>/stantU But rad/ant8 Tu=3ed beh/nd a =.uster Cf rea=h/n: trees8 Ets =ons/stent Hu.se g/s/b.e for ;/.es8 Et sHo3e to ;e Nu/et.y S/.ent.y eKen8 But @/th a =onK/=t/on That has stayed @/th ;e Ynt/. th/s Kery day8 The bea=on8 Ets eyes @ere f/Xed on ;e Lhen ;y ;/nd be:an To sH./nter8 The bea=on /s st/.. There8 Lat=h/n:8 La/t/n:8 Seen on.y @hen the Mo.d Sh/Kers the .eaKes off of Those far rea=h/n: treesP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

`"#c"%& Le H/=3 and :rab for a A/tt.e taste of honey8 Just enou:h to re;/nd our Ton:ues that a s@eetness St/.. eX/sts8 Le d/Ke /n headf/rst L/thout eKer th/n3/n: of Cur feet8 And s/n3 to a deHth @here Those feet haKe to ;oKe just To stay a./Ke8 Just to 3eeH uHP

$"`#"%& E do::ed you Vretty badU ba=3 /n the >ay8 E neKer 3ne@ ho@ bad That ;ust haKe ;ade you ?ee.8 To :et sh/t fro; others Es one th/n:8

The Bars of 55th Street

But to =o;e ho;e and Get /t fro; your fa;/.y Es una==eHtab.e8 Mh/.dren =an be so Mrue.8 So K/=/ous /n the/r atta=3s8 So unre.ent/n: /n the/r Taunts8 So una@are of the resu.ts8 Et Ha/ns ;e to th/n3 of ho@ E =ontr/buted to your an:u/sh8 That E he.Hed fan the f.a;e Cf your desHa/r8 Wour brother8 To :o ba=3 and hu: you8 AHo.o:/Ze8 ReKerse those Ha/nfu. @ords8 E haKe =r/ed ;any t/;es oKer Et8 Jany t/;es8 That ;y heart =ou.d haKe Been so .ost8 So =oarse8 So un=ar/n: of /ts a=t/ons8 So thou:ht.ess and harsh8 ES; sorryP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

#"`!"%& G/Ke ;e one year And E @/.. de./Ker Jyse.f to you /n Lords and Hhrases8 An ent/re @or.d Va/nted @/th @ords And thou:ht8 An ent/re ./fe S=u.Hted fro; .oKeU AettersU And @/..P

$"#c"%& Ho@ do you .oKe on CHHos/te s/des of a r/Kerh E sa@ you there8 L/th your ar;s oHen But your ;outh =.osed8 E ;ot/oned for you to =o;e But you d/d not8 Wou just stood there @/th Wour ar;s outstret=hed as Ef to hu: ;e8

The Bars of 55th Street

But you d/d not resHond8 Wou d/d not hear ;y Mr/es8 Wou d/d not heed ;y ?renZ/ed ;oKe;ents8 Wou d/d not =o;e to Je8 E :athered @hat E =ou.d To =onstru=t a br/d:e8 The stren:th of the br/d:e >/d not ;atter8 As .on: as /t @ou.d Get ;e to you8 E :athered .oose b/ts And o.d re;nants And bu/.t a ;ound Cf /t that @ou.d ^eeH ;e af.oat8 E sHent t/;e Her=hed on Those o.d e.e;ents and Mou.d not .et :o8 Be=ause @hen E steHHed Cnto the;8 A fo: =a;e and @ashed Wour /;a:e a@ay8 E =a..ed out to you And =r/ed @hen you >/d not resHond8 E =r/ed be=ause E thou:ht

Gary 0. 0. Boston

WouSd .eft8 After a.. of ;y Hurr/ed efforts8 After a.. of ;y ?rant/= ;oKe;ents8 E fe.t a.one8 And afra/d8 AtoH ;y ;ound of Bro3en ;e;or/es And o.d @ounds8 E @as afra/d to :o ?or@ard8 But E @as deter;/ned Got to @a.3 ba=38 So E @a/ted8 E stayed8 Cn the su;;/t of a S./Hshod br/d:e8 The =urrents of the R/Ker tossed ;e about A/3e a br/tt.e .eaf And the =o.d sho=3ed ;e to the Bone8 But E he.d on8 Jy br/d:e @as @ea3U But E =.un: to /t8 Be=ause /t @as a.. E Had8 E =ou.d =./n: to /ts

The Bars of 55th Street

Lea3ness8 Cr Her/sh beneath /t8 Jy reso.Ke @as f/r;U But the br/d:e @as Got8 But a h/:h @/nd be:an To for;8 A Ho@erfu. :a.e that Tossed ;y br/d:e and E ./3e a @/..o@ /n SHr/n:8 And s.o@.y8 Marefu..y8 The fo: be:an to A/ft8 Th/=3 tufts d/ss/Hated Ento @/sHy shado@s Ynt/. /t @as no Jore8 And there you stood8 Ar;s outstret=hed8 And E =ou.d hear a ?a/nt =a..8 A d/stant Ko/=e8 Yr:/n: ;e to Hush ?or@ard8 As3/n: ;e to ho.d Cn8 Wou stood there /n

Gary 0. 0. Boston

?ront of ;e Cn=e a:a/n8 EX=eHt no@ you Had a Ko/=e8 And you @ere us/n: /t8 E stood uH on ;y Sha3y foundat/on And =a;e to you8 And .oKed you8 And E 3ne@ thenP

`"#$"%& E d/s=arded eKeryth/n: That @as H.easurab.e To ;e8 E abandoned anyth/n: That fe.t :ood8 E neKer stu=3 around .on: Enou:h to fee. anyth/n:8 And E d/d /t a.. @/thout A se=ond thou:ht8 Ho@ =ou.d E haKe been

The Bars of 55th Street

So Hara.yZed8 So dead to those around Je8 So nu;b to haHH/ness8 So fond of the dar38 Lhy d/d E do @hat E d/d8 Lhy d/d E d/s=ard HeoH.e A/3e t/ssue8 E s@eHt the; off the Tab.e ./3e =ru;bs8 A/3e dust8 As /f they neKer eX/sted8 EKen no@U /tSs hard To re;e;ber so;e8 E =anSt he.H that EKery se=ond /s a Nuest/on8 EKery ;/nute an eNuat/on8 EKery hour a HuZZ.e8 EKery day a hyHothes/s of So;eth/n: that @as .on: a:o S@eHt a@ay8 But there /s no ans@er8 E =a.=u.ate ;y fra=t/ons L/th tears And Harano/a8 L/th doubt8 L/th re:ret8 Th/s /s ;y sunsh/ne8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Th/s /s ;y fu.. Joon8 Th/s /s ;y eX=use ?or =rou=h/n: Cn hands and 3nees En a dar3ened @or.d8 Jy eX=use for d/s=ard/n: V.easure as /f /t Lere Ha/n8 E =an neKer :o ba=38 E ;ust te.. ;yse.f8 E =an neKer return to Those @ar; H.a=es8 Those @/../n: s;/.es8 Those :/K/n: hearts8 That ;ay haKe Montr/buted to an ans@er8 E =an neKer return to Those doubts and ReKerse the;8 E =an neKer .oo3 those ?ears /n the eye and >eny the;8 E haKe the ;an that E See /n the ;/rror8 A ./K/n: ;an8 L/th a heart that Beats s.o@ and Mo.d8

The Bars of 55th Street

Surrounded by a f/re That burns ./3e a ?urna=e8 Ho@ =an that beh The ans@ers .ay /n Lhat E abandoned8 There /s :o.d /n that Rubb.eP

`"#$"%& E @as neKer atta=hed To anyth/n:8 EKeryth/n: E @as eKer =.ose to Aeft at so;e Ho/nt8 Goth/n: stayed8 Jobs8 VeoH.e8 Th/n:s8 E a.@ays droHHed ./3e >ead @e/:ht8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

E haKe Hrob.e;s L/th atta=h;ent8 Be=ause E donSt 3no@ Ho@ to HroHer.y atta=h8 Lhen a.. ESKe 3no@n Es desert/on8 So ;any fr/endsh/Hs ./Ke /n Je;or/es8 And ;y heart .ay /n The Hast8 Lhen HeoH.e stood by8 Go@ eKeryoneSs :one8 Jy house /s e;Hty8 Jy ./fe /s e;Hty8 And ES; so ru/ned fro; The years that E =anSt >o anyth/n: about /t8 ES; .ost8 ESKe :ot su=h a =h/H Cn ;y shou.der and E =anSt sha3e /t8 E just =anSt8 The bra/n enK/s/ons /tU But the body @/.. not Cb./:e8 E donSt eKen =are Lhat haHHens to ;e Any;ore8 Lhat does /t ;atterP

The Bars of 55th Street

#"#a"%& ThereSs a @/nter /n a.. of usU >esH/te @hat @e ;ay th/n38 Sno@ fa..s @h/.e @e .ay >rea;/n: of Nu/et bea=hes And troH/=a. .au:hter8 And /=e for;s a;/d the S@o..en =.ouds8 A.H/ne =o.d .a=es L/th our s@eet a/r Lh/.e a ;/dn/:ht s.eet G.aZes our Herfe=t >a@n8 A =/r=.e has no end And no d/s=ernab.e Be:/nn/n:8 Lhat affe=ts one Ho.e B.ends /nto another8 Le =annot es=aHe The fr/:/d =h/..U Thou:h @e ;ay =onstant.y Run8 Ea=h t@/st of the =/r=.e L/.. re;/nd us of that8 Got to say that @e =anSt A/Ke foreKer /n the sunsh/neU Just donSt for:et to Va=3 a ja=3etP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

The Bars of 55th Street

>o >o8 >o8 >o8 ?ear @/.. HreKent you ?ro; th/s8 Et /s a droH of Jer=ury8 A dense and toX/= ;ass that AdaHts and dra@s To /t a.. other ./3e;/nded >roH.ets8 A/3e a Herson @/th A Ho/soned ;/nd8 That has the ab/./ty To attra=t other Vo/soned ;/nds and ?or;s a ;ass of Hate and an:erP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

#"#&"%& E hear ;us/= /n ;y ;/nd8 Str/n:s8 Soft H/ano 3eys >u..ed by an EKen softer breeZe8 Et sounds out of Tune8 E hear Ko/=es8 Aau:hs and ;uff.ed MonKersat/on8 A jo3e That E turn to s;/.e At8 And then /t stoHs8 An e;Hty roo; ?u.. of no/se8 ?u.. of eyes That s=rut/n/Ze8 E .oo3 out of the L/ndo@ a:a/n And see a boy that Aoo3s ./3e ;e8 HeSs H.ay/n:8 S;/./n:8 ThereSs a ;an En the d/stan=e8 A youn: ;an /n

The Bars of 55th Street

H/s .ate `%Ss HerhaHs8 He doesnTt .oo3 @e..8 Eyes dar3 and sharH8 Shou.ders s.u;Hed8 Head .o@8 Star/n: at the boy8 The str/n:s H.ay a:a/n En the ba=3:round And =onKersat/on Resu;es8 E Hut ;y nose to The :.ass8 And ;y breath be:an To =.oud /t8 But E sa@ the ;an AHHroa=h the boy8 E @/Hed a@ay the ?o: to see @hat HaHHened8 And the boy @as Gone8 Just the ;an re;a/ned8 ^nee./n:8 E s.a;;ed ;y hands A:a/nst the @/ndo@ to S=are h/; a@ay8 Lhat had he done L/th the boy8 The ;an stood uH8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Ta..8 Vroud8 Mhest out8 Head h/:h8 Eyes br/:ht8 S3/n youn:U a./Ke and s;ooth8 He .oo3ed at ;e Then8 And E stoHHed ;y Ban:/n:8 He s;/.ed at ;e i A youthfu. s;/.e8 And @aKed8 The =onKersat/on stoHHed But the str/n:s H.ay Cn8 Aoud /n ;y ears8 Beaut/fu.8 As he turned and La.3ed a@ayP

The Bars of 55th Street

Gary 0. 0. Boston

#"$"%& E =anSt tou=h your fa=e But ESKe a.@ays tou=hed your AoKe8 Wou @onSt .et ;e tou=h your ha/r But E =an st/.. tou=h your S;/.e8 E =ou.dnSt =a.. your house But you =an =a.. on ;e8 E =ou.dnSt ./Ke free But you ./Ke /ns/de ;y heart8 Le @ere neKer .u=3y enou:h to haKe @hat Cthers had8 Le neKer ./Ked ./fe the Lay @e =ou.d haKe Cr shou.d haKe8 Cur road @as a.@ays EX=.us/Ke to us8 And our hands =ou.d GeKer tou=hP

The Bars of 55th Street

#`"`_"%a There /s a sun /n your Eyes8 E @at=h /t h/:h /n the s3y8 And ES; there as /t Ja3es /ts des=ent beh/nd The ;ounta/ns8 Lhen a.. around ;e Goes dar3U ES; st/.. @ar;8 There /s a sun /n your Eyes8 E @at=h /t h/:h /n the S3y8 Br/:ht and rad/ant8 And E fee. /ts .oKe En the @ar;th of the :reen :rass beneath Jy bare feet8 E a; there on those Marefree days8 But E a; a.so there Lhen the eKen/n: =o;esU And the sun ;a3es Ets des=ent beh/nd B.a=3 ;ounta/ns8 E a; there on those >ar3 n/:hts J/ss/n: you8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

>rea;/n: of you Lh/.e .y/n: on ;y Ba=3 Aoo3/n: uH at the Stars8 They re;/nd ;e of Wou8 E @eather the =o.d Cf those barren L/nds And @a/t for you8 ES.. a.@ays @a/t for Wou8 Ynt/. your sun r/ses A:a/n8 E @/.. @a/t for your Lar;th ?or the @ay /t ;a3es Je fee.8 A./Ke and youn: and Marefree8 And E @/.. 3eeH ;y eyes Tra/ned on the b.a=3 Jounta/ns8 Be=ause E 3no@ youS.. R/se a:a/n so;e dayP

The Bars of 55th Street

Gary 0. 0. Boston

#`"`a"%a Lhen the @/nds :ro@ =o.dU E @/.. be your b.an3et8 And .ay bes/de you Ynt/. the sun @ar;s Ys both8 Lhen the ;ounta/ns of A/fe fee. the need to Tre;b.e and eruHt8 E @/.. sh/e.d you ?ro; /ts =ho3/n: Mou:h And breathe A/fe /nto you8 E @/.. Hrote=t you ?ro; hurt8 Sh/e.d you fro; Ha/n And :/Ke to youP

The Bars of 55th Street

#"`&"%& Lhat @ou.d E be 3/../n: Ef E b.e@ out the f.a;e8 Lhat @ou.d E :a/n By be/n: .eft to the dar3ness To fend for ./fe a.one And b./nd8 Lhat @ou.d E =han:e Ef E b.e@ out the f.a;e8 The Hast =annot burn Ynder /ts f/re any@ay8 Et @/.. a.@ays be as /t Las8 Lhat @ou.d E do ?or to;orro@ but =.a@ Around /n d/s=ontent Lh/.e be::/n: for a =han:e8 The f.a;e /s a.. E haKe8 And @hat E a;8 Et /s @ho E @/.. be8 Et burns be=ause E A; not f/n/shed8 Be=ause E @a.3 on8 Et burns eKen thou:h ;y Tears fa/. to eXt/n:u/sh /t And ;y s/:hs fa/. to S/.en=e /t8 E @ou.dnSt be 3/../n:

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Anyth/n: /f E b.e@ out The f.a;e8 The end /s a.ready Lr/ttenP

`"c"%& A.. /t too3 @as A se=ond8 To burn your fa=e Ento ;e A/3e a brand on soft f.esh8 E on.y sa@ you for A se=ondP

`"_"%& >/d E te.. you that A star fe.. fro; the S3y the n/:ht that E >roKe to see youh Et d/dP

The Bars of 55th Street

#`"`"%a ?a../n: /nto e.der.y Just a b/t too soon8 Be=ause the days are too E;Hat/ent ?or ;e to =at=h uH8 ES; oKer@he.;ed by The t/=3/n: of /ts Bra/n8 And the neKer end/n: Sh/ft of /ts ar;s And jo/nts8 EtSs deter;/ned as /t suHHresses8 EtSs K/:/.ant as /t subdues8 EtSs un@aKer/n: En /ts atte;Ht to JoKe and Hro:ress8 EtSs just that @hen Et ;oKesU E haKe to ;oKe too8 And ES; not a.@ays Ready to ta3e the r/de8 Su=h a bu;Hy r/de8 As @e ;ar=h do@n the Road8 Grabb/n: ;y ar; t/:ht.y as Ef E @ere an und/s=/H./ned Mh/.d

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Be/n: Hu..ed a.on: Br/s3.y by a stern Varent8 Lhy do @e haKe to :o so ?ast8 Wou @onSt .et ;e stoH to S;e.. the roses8 Cr :o to the bathroo;P

#`"a"%a Bro3en ;eat8 Sautjed and Tender/Zed8 Tufted and 3neaded And dr/HH/n: L/th f.aKor8 Aeft ra@ on A d/rty =ounter8 Gent.e hands V.a=ed /t there8 And =are.ess hands Jade sure /t stayed8 Ynt/. /t dre@ f./es8 And undes/rab.es

The Bars of 55th Street

And sent off a s;e.. That eKeryone around Et =ou.d see8 They aKo/ded /t for The/r o@n :ood8 Et deHressed the; to See su=h a n/=e =ut Rott/n: for no reason8 Et saddened the; to See su=h Hotent/a. Lasted8 Su=h a future sNuandered R/:ht before the/r eyes8 Wou =ou.dnSt he.H but ?ee. sorry for /t8 Lhat =ho/=e d/d /t HaKe @hen /ts fate Las handed to /thP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Jy ?a;/.y E .oo3 uHon the; as fond.y As one @ou.d .oo3 uHon A th/n: of unsurHassab.e beauty8 Be=ause the .ot of us To:ether /n one s;a.. roo; /s The =.osest Jy heart @/.. eKer :et to An earth.y heaKen8 Ea=h hu: /s :/Ken as thou:h Et @ere the .ast8 Ea=h e;bra=e /s fe.t As /f /t @ere the on.y Re;/nder of a d/stant AoKe8 Cne ;ade /ndo;/tab.e by the Eros/on of ;/.es and Wears8 By tr/a.s and by effort8 By fa/.ures and by short=o;/n:s8 Ea=h hu: /s a b.ueHr/nt8 A ;aH8 A road HaKed @/th the adorat/on that =o;es L/th un@aKer/n: >eKot/on and suHHort8 EX=eHt that ea=h hu: :/Ken ReNu/res .ett/n: :o8 E tend to dr/ft ba=3

The Bars of 55th Street

Ento dar3ness as Jy =hest :ro@s =o.d8 The @ar;th of your Tou=h d/ss/Hat/n: and S.o@.y sHr/n3./n: To the f.oor ./3e a Jyst/=a. dust8 Wour ;e;ory fades /nto Jy sou. ./3e a @/nd/n: gaHor As E .aZ/.y dr/ft ba=3 /nto ;y So.e;n sea8 And a..o@ ;yse.f to Be =arr/ed by /ts Ynre.ent/n: @aKes8 Beneath /ts deHths E s/n38 As E eXha.e and .et :o8 Ento /ts shado@s E Mrou=h and h/de8 Ento /ts =.ut=hes E Roa; on=e ;ore8 Ea=h hu: /s :/Ken as /f Et @ere the .ast8 Ea=h e;bra=e /s fe.t as Ef /t @ere the on.y re;/nder Cf a d/stant .oKe8 The re@ard fro; trud:/n: the .on: road a.one8 EtSs just that

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Ea=h :oodbye ;a3es @ay for a he..o To the ;onotony of the nor;a.P

The Bars of 55th Street

#`"5"%a Lhy a; E eXHendab.e to youh EKen after ESKe shared ;y Heart8 Lhat does /t ;ean to you To fee. ;y .oKe8 Wou return /t on.y @hen Ge=essary8 To 3eeH ;e t/ed to Wour un=erta/ntyP

##"`&"%a E often hear HeoH.eU Lhen re=ount/n: the dash/n: ta.e of The/r faKor/te ath.et/= Tea;U Referr/n: to the; as dLee /nstead of dtheyeU or dThe;.e Lhy do @e fee. the Geed to =./n: to the su==ess Cf a :rouH of h/:h.y Ha/d

Gary 0. 0. Boston

SHorts;enh Lhat does the aKera:e =/t/Zen Ga/n fro; a @/n oKer A r/Ka.h Le d/d none of the @or3U ?ee. none of the effortU But bas3 /n the Hr/de Cf K/=tory. Are @e that ?ra=tured /n our da/.y A/Kes that @e need to R/de the @aKe of so;eone E.seSs su==ess Rather than =reate our o@nhP

The Bars of 55th Street

a"`&"%a E sHent a Hort/on of Jy ./fe bu/.d/n: a =ast.e En the sand8 Et stood h/:h And Hroud8 Wou @ou.d sNu/nt your Eyes @hen the sun H/t /t just r/:ht8 Et @as so br/:htU So ta..8 VeoH.e @arned ;e of The dan:ers thou:h8 Cne stray @aKe @ou.d ToHH.e ;y =reat/on They @ou.d say8 E d/dnSt ./sten And E =ont/nued to Vour eKeryth/n: /nto Et8 EKeryth/n: E had8 E :aKe /t ;y .oKe8 E :aKe /t ;y @ea3ness8 Aoo3/n: at /t @as A ref.e=t/on of ;y A/fe8 Et reHresented @ho E @as8 Lhat E had be=o;e8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

E .eft /t one n/:ht to Go ho;e8 And E drea;ed of /t A/3e E a.@ays d/d8 Lhen E returned Et @as :one8 The @aKe had f/na..y ta3en /t fro; ;e L/thout a reason8 Jy ref.e=t/on @as :one8 EKeryth/n: ESd bu/.t8 EKeryth/n: ESd :/Ken8 Aost8 En one fe.. s@ooH8 Go H.ead/n: =ou.d br/n: Et ba=38 The @aKes haKe no H/ty8 EtSs hard to rebu/.d Lhen you 3no@ that The @aKes haKe no H/ty8 EtSs hard to rebu/.d @hen Wou 3no@ that they @/.. A.@ays =.a/; the sandP

The Bars of 55th Street

Gary 0. 0. Boston

_"_"%a Jy sa.Kat/on @as there8 A foot a@ay fro; ;e8 But seHarated by A thousand ;/.es8 Jy sa.Kat/on @as there Cn those Nu/et roads8 ge/.ed by a dense :reen And toHHed by a @ater=o.or B.ue8 Jy sa.Kat/on @as there En those houses8 C.d8 And =.oudy8 And a./Ke L/th the sou. of ;y >es/res8 The/r @/ndo@s t/HHed L/th f/re./:hts8 And the/r fa=ades as @e.=o;/n: As an o.d fr/end8 Jy sa.Kat/on @as there En those d/stant h/..s8 A Kerdant drea;8 That @h/sHered to ;e ./3e An e=ho8 Jy sa.Kat/on @as there8 A foot a@ay fro; ;e

The Bars of 55th Street

And E 3ne@ /t8 Et @as /n the Ka..eys8 The trees8 Et @as /n the s3y8 And the sto/= @a..s8 Et @as there a.. a.on:8 And E 3ne@ /t8 E found /t @here ETd GeKer sear=hed8 But @here ;y heart has A.@ays been8 Jy sa.Kat/on @as there8 And thatTs @here E Had to .eaKe /tP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

#`"#`"%& Es the truth that :r/; That E =hoose to ./Ke En ./esh >o E /ntend to ./Ke the rest of Jy days as a fu:/t/Ke fro; ;yse.fh Jy drea;s =ons/st Cf ;e be/n: =hased8 By band/ts8 ko;b/es8 And a host of other assa/.ants8 They =ons/st of =onf./=t8 >estru=t/on8 Tur;o/.8 And by:one a==o;H./sh;ents8 EKen /n ;y drea;sU ET; on the run8 EKen there ET; afra/d8 E shroud so;eth/n: fro; ;y Hast8 ThereSs so;eth/n: there that E Mons/stent.y b.o=38 ThereSs so;eth/n: there that E VreKent fro; r/s/n: to the surfa=e8 ET; /n a =onstant stru::.e8 An eH/= @ar Cf /deo.o:y And e;ot/on8 Lho a; Eh Lhat a; EhP

The Bars of 55th Street

#"&"%_ E drea;ed on=e of a future Lhere th/n:s @ere .ar:er Than ./fe8 S./:ht.y beyond the s=oHe of rea./tyU But @/th/n the =onf/nes of Voss/b/./ty8 E drea;ed b/:8 And rea./Zed /n ;y :ro@th That those drea;s So;et/;es Ma;e true8 E rea./Zed that ./fe @as ?u.. of su=h drea;s8 Rea./ty /s =onstru=ted fro; The H.a=e;ent of those drea;s8 And @e to/. a@ay t/re.ess.y Bu/.d/n: our san=tuary8 Ynt/. one day our ;ean/n: Es reKea.ed A/3e the sun on a ra/ny day8 Et /s there that the journey tru.y Be:/nsP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

The Bars of 55th Street

#"`"%_ There @as an o.d ;an /n a g/..a:e Lho @as fu.. of ./Ke.y stor/es and braZen Ta.es8 VeoH.e @ou.d =o;e to th/s ^/nd.y ;an for adK/=eU Cr just to hear a ba..ad that Lou.d ta3e the; on a short Journey A@ay fro; the troub.es and @orr/es of the/r C@n ./Kes8 A youn: ;an aHHeared at the >oor of the storyte..er one EKen/n:8 The sun @as .o@ oKer a ger;/./on s3y8 And the breeZe @as just a @ar; Lh/sHer8 The youn: ;an @/Hed the s@eat ?ro; h/s Ha.;s as he 3no=3ed Cn the o.d ;anTs door8 The o.d ;an shuff.ed to the >oor and oHened /t @/th a broad S;/.e8 The youn: ;an eXH.a/ned h/s V./:htU Las /nK/ted /nU

Gary 0. 0. Boston

And too3 a seat on an o.d @ooden =ha/r8 The house @as s;a..8 Just one t/dy roo; fu.. of H/=tures of S;/./n: t/;esU And of ;e;entos and tr/n3ets ?ro; by:one de=ades8 The o.d ;an too3 a seat d/re=t.y A=ross fro; h/;U Aoo3ed /nto the youn: ;anTs eyes for A .on: ;o;entU And s;/.ed @/th =.osed eyes as he Be:an to sHea38 He @eaKed a ta.e of Aon:/n:8 >eeH @/th .oKeU and r/=h @/th The s=ent of .one./ness8 R/He @/th the odor of .oss8 He re=ounted @/th deta/. a Story of e;ot/on8 A ;an and a @o;an8 And ho@ the truth that That ;an had .on:ed for ./Ked Ens/de the s/ne@s of that @o;an8 He sHo3e of ho@ she @as the Beaut/fu. son: that had neKer Gra=ed h/s ears8 And @as the Hurest ;us/= heTd eKer Heard8 Et ran: out /n h/; as the

The Bars of 55th Street

S=ent of f.o@ers /ntoX/=ates /n the SHr/n:8 And heTd neKer 3no@n su=h S/n=er/ty8 Had neKer 3no@n su=h truth8 Had neKer fe.t su=h .oKe8 He neKer thou:ht that he @ou.d8 GeKer thou:ht that he =ou.d8 The sun had r/sen d/re=t.y oKer Th/s ;anTs head8 And h/s n/:hts @ere as br/:ht as H/s days8 She :aKe a.. to h/;8 Ynf./n=h/n:8 She neKer he.d ba=38 She :aKe her .oKe as free.y As ra/n fe.. to earth8 The sun shone on th/s ;an8 Ynt/. the day he :aKe /t a@ay8 And the n/:ht that he d/d Las the .on:est8 EKery se=ond Hassed @/thout A =are8 And the s/.en=e @as as Ha/nfu. As the turn/n: of a b.ade8 The ;us/= @as no .on:er /n h/s EarsU but @as /n tune @/th The beat/n: of h/s heart8 The daysT Ka.ue had de=reased8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

And the sun be:an to dr/ft S.o@.y ba=3 beh/nd the =.ouds8 The ;oonTs ./:ht /..u;/nated H/s fa=e8 And the @or.d @as b.an3 And nor;a. on=e ;ore8 The o.d ;an abruHt.y Vaused /n te../n: the youn: Jan the ta.e8 The youn: ;an had =.un: t/:ht.y To eKery @ord of that story And @as ea:er.y a@a/t/n: The neXt8 The o.d ;anTs fa=e @as Aon: and eXHress/Ke no@8 And h/s oHen eyes :./stened @/th The tears of the Hast8 As .oo3/n: at the youn: Jan @as ./3e .oo3/n: at H/;se.f8 The ./tt.e roo; @as s/.ent8 Cn.y the =rea3 of o.d @ood Sett./n: and the rust./n: of the G/:ht .eaKes bro3e the st/..ness8 The youn: ;an be:an to sHea38 He be:an to as3 @hat HaHHened neXt8 He be:an to as3 the o.d ;an Lhy he had stoHHed8

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But before h/s ;outh =ou.d ?or; the @ords8 The o.d ;anTs t/red eyes Aoo3ed /nto those of the youn: Jan8 dAoKeU youn: ;an8 Es the on.y th/n: of Ka.ue En th/s @or.d8 Et adaHts @/th t/;e8 Et =han:es you8 Et affe=ts you8 Et be=o;es you8 Ho.d onto /t @/th your Stron:est :r/H8 E;bra=e /t @/th a.. you haKe8 And youn: ;anU neKerU eKer Aet :oe8 A tear fe.. fro; h/s eyes As he sHo3e th/s f/na. @ord8 And the tre;b./n: of h/s ./Hs ReKersed h/s 3/nd.y s;/.e8 The youn: ;an understood th/s8 And h/s eyes dr/fted s.o@.y a=ross the Roo;8 So fu.. of H/=tures and ;e;entos8 So fu.. of o.d ./fe8 Je;or/es of .oKe8 Cf .oss8 The youn: ;an nodded and

Gary 0. 0. Boston

Stood8 He H.a=ed a f/r; hand on The o.d ;anTs shou.der8 dThan3 youe8 The youn: ;an sa/d as he Jade h/s @ay to the doorP

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Gary 0. 0. Boston

#`"#&"%& EtTs just that the roo; @as E;Hty for so .on:8 EtSs hard to 3no@ @here to Vut th/n:s /n order to f/.. /t YH8 Ho@ do you arran:e a Roo;8 Lhen you =anTt re;e;ber Lhat /t .oo3ed ./3e /n the Sun./:hthP

#`"!"%a A f.o@er oHens Lhen E see your fa=e8 And a =oo. @/nd Tou=hes ;y ./Hs8 ?resh ;e;or/es fade En and out and >r/ft on that @/nd A/3e ./tt.e shards of HaHer8 Ento a Kast @or.d Lhere f.o@ers b.oo;8 A;/d desert =ra=3s and G.a=/a. /=e8

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A @or.d that E =reated8 And you =an neKer roa;8 Wour fa=es are ./3e b.urry >ots of =ara;e. sunsh/ne8 Ea=h one ;e.t/n: /nto Je ./3e s@eet =andy8 The @/nd b.o@s8 And E a; a HaHer a/rH.ane Cn /ts shou.ders8 ?.y/n: h/:h and =.ean8 A Nu/et shado@ G./d/n: oKer ;y Nu/et Lor.d8 ?.oat/n: b./nd.y8 Mare.ess.y8 GeKer =on=erned @/th Jy dest/nat/on8 GeKer a@are of any ?ear8 Jy :ray @or.d .oo3s B.ue fro; uH here8 And s;e..s as :reen as Any @ood on the other S/de8 And a.. the ./tt.e HaHer Je;or/es sHr/n3.e about The s3y ./3e sno@f.a3es8 As :ra=efu. and deft As an e:ret8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

They ./Ke @/th/n the;se.Kes And soar a.oft ./3e bro3en Heroes8 >eta=hed and @/../n: to re;a/n Ynder the b.an3et of the/r C@n ob./K/on8 E roa; the/r @or.d8 Lh/=h just haHHens to be ;/ne8 And @here you ;ust neKer :o8 Wou on.y K/s/t En ;y ;e;or/es8 En ;y drea;s8 En ;y thou:hts of the o.d @or.d8 Lhen E .et the; /n8 But E see your fa=e @hen E Tou=h :round a:a/n and The f.o@ers oHen at ;y ?eet8 A =oo. @/nd tou=hes ;y ./Hs And E @a.3 ta.. and na3ed And unafra/d8 CKer barren deserts and Ar=t/= f/e.ds8 But a.. E fee. /s your heat8 Vu;H/n: @/sdo; /nto ;/ne8 And your fa=es ;e.t/n: /nto Je ./3e s@eet =andyP

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Lar; E;bra=e The @ar;th of a =o.d sun E;bra=es ;e as /f E @ere A fr/:htened =h/.d8 Ets :rasH ;oK/n: oKer ;e Tender.y8 And =a.;/n: ;e8 Aett/n: ;e 3no@ that EKeryth/n: @/.. be a.r/:ht8 Th/s /s ;y su;;er En a @/nter @or.d8 ?u.. of s;/.es and Aau:hs8 Th/s /s ;y buoy8 Jy ;ounta/n8 Jy stren:th8 Et ./es /n the Shado@s8 Afra/d of the :.are8 And H/er=es :ent.y8 Re:ard.ess of the obsta=.eP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

#"&"%_ The =h/.d /n ;e /nher/ted The burdens of ;y Gro@th8 And to:ether @e too3 the H.un:e beneath The @aKes8 Ar;s eXtended8 ?eet 3/=3/n:8 Cur eyes sNu/nt/n: under The Hressure of our ;ot/on8 Le .ost s/:ht of Cne another a fe@ feet >o@n8 And frant/=a..y sear=hedU But to no aKa/.P

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A.@ays L/th Wou A/3e an a;b/t/ous H.ant8 Stret=h/n: /ts @ay to@ard A s;/./n: sun8 E a; @/th you8 Et t@/sts and sh/fts unt/. EtSs /n the Herfe=t Hos/t/on8 The Herfe=t Kanta:e Ho/nt8 To re=e/Ke faKorU and to Gro@8 To re=e/Ke nour/sh;ent and A/Ke8 E :ro@ to@ard you8 Ynder the nurture of your Steady hand8 Lhat a :reen thu;b Wou haKe8 Ab.e to =u.t/Kate a Sa.ted f/e.d8 And turn /t /nto a th/n: Cf beauty8 Wou are Hat/ent8 And E :ro@ to@ard you8 E @/.. :ro@ under your Lat=h ./3e a @/nd/n: K/ne8 Ynt/. E =an jo/n @/th you8 E @/.. a.@ays be @/th youP

Gary 0. 0. Boston

a"#"%c AoKe Vart E ThereSs a Nu/et Hea=e /n AoKe8 E enjoy @hat /t reHresents8 ThereSs a subt.e deHth En the eXHress/on8 A tou=h/n: breath So de./=ate that /t =an d/ss/Hate ./3e A dande./on :one to seed8 So stron: that /t =ou.d oKerta3e Any @a..8 ThereSs a Nu/et stren:th /n AoKe8 A truth so HreKa.ent8 A rea./ty so star38 A st/.. roo; /n sHr/n:8 S/.ent @/th the =a.; of The =o;fort that =o;es @/th A s;/.e uHon @a3/n:8 ^no@/n: that thereSs a Nu/et Hea=e /n AoKeP

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Gary 0. 0. Boston

a"_"%c Vebb.es of A/fe A ro=3 /n your hand8 Wour ./feU Hebb.es of dust /n your Va.;8 S;a.. b/ts of haHH/ness8 V.ent/fu. Hart/=.es8 Thousands of ;/n/s=u.e :ra/ns Mo;b/n/n: to for; a :oa.8 A K/s/on8 A.. @/th/n the @eathered =reKasses Cf your :r/H8 SNueeZe t/:ht.y8 Bu/.d Hressure8 T/:hten those Hebb.es of dust /n your Va.;8 Ynt/. they eXH.ode ./3e a :eyser8 And rush out ./3e a @aterfa..8 Rea=h deeH.y8 GrasH at @hat you see38 ?/.. your hands @/th these ./tt.e b/ts Cf haHH/ness8 ?/.. your hands @/th t/ny b/ts of ./fe8 Ynt/. those :ra/ns sH/.. out onto the Earth of your =hoos/n:P

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The Sun /n the ?a.. ThereSs so;eth/n: about the @ay the sun H/ts /n fa..8 ThereSs so;eth/n: about the =.ar/ty8 The oHaNue fu..ness of the ./:ht8 That =.eanses ;e8 ThereSs a ;ystery /n that ./:ht8 A Nuest/on @a/t/n: for an Ans@er8 EtSs the start/n: ./ne for the road Ahead8 The :reen ./:ht8 The reason8 Et Hushes ;e :ent.y8 A/3e a Harent nud:es a @/../n: Mh/.d8 Et f/..s ;e8 A/3e a fresh.y dra@n breath8 Et be=o;es ;e8 And E bea; @/th /t8 Br/:htU And =.earU And =a.;8 E ;oKe and /t f/..s just enou:h Cf ;y shado@ to .et ;e 3no@ That thereSs ;ore to ;e Than @hatSs K/s/b.e8 ThereSs a =.ar/ty yet to be d/s=oKered8

Gary 0. 0. Boston

A ;ystery8 A Nuest/on8 ThereSs so;eth/n: about the @ay the Sun h/ts /n the fa..8 EtSs the start/n: ./ne for the road AheadP

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The E.e;ents There @as a base;ent that E used To s/t /n8 >ur/n: the ;/dd.e years of ;y Mo..e:e days8 E @ou.d dra@ H/=tures and @r/te notes Bet@een =.asses8 GaZe out the @/ndo@8 At Hass/n: HeoH.e8 At .eaKes rust./n: /n the C=tober @/nd8 Cf rob/ns f.oat/n: a.on: b.ue ?ebruary afternoons8 At the Jar=h ra/n as /t Hounded a:a/nst The :.ass8 E @as a youn:er ;an then8 And these e.e;ents brou:ht ;e M.oser to those /nd/K/dua. days8 They for=ed ;e to eXHer/en=e eKery J/nute as /t Hassed8 They a..o@ed ;e to saKor eKery Se=ond8 Lhen E th/n3 ba=3U /tSs a.;ost as /f Those haHHen/n:s o==urred /n s.o@ Jot/on8 There @ere so ;any8 But E rea./Ze no@ that /tSs be=ause EKery ./tt.e se=ond @as re=orded8

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Gary 0. 0. Boston

EKery /nstan=e @as =onsu;ed and Le.. sHent8 Be=ause E 3ne@ then E @as be/n: Hu..ed By the =.o=38 E 3ne@ then that E @as :u/ded by /ts Hands8 E @as a youn:er ;an then8 And those e.e;ents brou:ht ;e M.oser to those /nd/K/dua. days8 Those e.e;ents brou:ht ;e =.oser To ;yse.fP

A/3e a Got=h /n the C.T Be.t Another not=h /s /n ;y be.t8 Jy @a/st /s :ett/n: s;a..er8 Be=ause that be.t /s :ett/n: T/:hter8 So ;any ho.es8 So ;any years8 E used to H.ay @/th b/: b.o=3s as A 3/d8 Those :/ant H.ast/= br/=3s that used to ?/t Herfe=t.y to:ether8 E =ou.d sta=3 the; any @ay

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And theySd re;a/n sturdy8 E =ou.d bu/.d the; h/:hU And @hen they fe..U they fe.. Soft.y8 And ESd .au:h as E rebu/.t ;y La..8 A s./Ker of the Hast s./Hs a@ay ea=h >ay8 And ES; Kery a@are of /t8 E =/n=h ;y be.t ea=h day And eXa;/ne a.. of the not=hes that ESKe =reated8 A.. of the eXHer/en=es8 A.. of the ;e;or/es8 That see; so far a@ay8 E try not to ./Ke /n the;8 But they ./Ke /n ;eU So /tSs a.;ost unaKo/dab.e8 Jy day /s the/r day8 And ;y future /s Hart.y based Cn the/r eX/sten=e8 E used to H.ay @/th :/ant br/=3s as As a 3/d8 E @ou.d bu/.d the; to the s3y And ad;/re the;8 And /t @as neKer the end Cf the @or.d @hen they fe..8 As =ha..en:/n: as /t @as to ere=t Jy br/=3 fortsU

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Gary 0. 0. Boston

Et @as neKer /;Hoss/b.e to s/;H.y Try a:a/n8 And so E d/d8 And so E haKe8 And so E @/..P

#"`!"%c Jy hand /s oHerab.e Cn=e a:a/n8 Jy bra/n /s send/n: s/:na.s That ;y hand /s @or3/n: To /nterHret8 Jy heart /s trans;/tt/n: >ata that ;y sou. /s Ea:er to Hro=ess8 ?or ;onths8 ESKe sear=hed8 A/3e a Nuest 3n/:ht for The ho.y :ra/.8 And for ;onthsU Jy sear=h =a;e uH E;Hty8 Lhat haHHened to

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The f.o@ of /nfor;at/onh The Nuest 3n/:hts eKentua..y >/s=oKered the :ra/.8 After ;any yearsU and Ju=h to/. and Stru::.e8 They d/s=oKered the Cne th/n: that @ou.d Restore the 3/n:do; to Ets for;er :.ory8 The Hr/=e.ess art/fa=t @as Returned to Ma;e.ot8 And order @as restored As /t tou=hed ArthurSs A/Hs8 E haKe re=oKered ;y :ra/.8 And /t @as @/th/n Je a.. a.on:8 Jy :ra/. @as so;eth/n: That ESd for:otten 8 A Hart/=.e of ./fe that Had been s@eHt /nto A =orner8 A sHe=3 of data that sat dor;ant En the far rea=hes of ;y Thou:hts8 E s/;H.y for:ot to Aoo3 for ;y :ra/. /n /ts V.a=e of or/:/nP

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Gary 0. 0. Boston

#"#_"%c E =an see a:a/n8 Jy eyes are oHen on=e Jore to ;yse.f8 Jy heart /s oHen on=e Jore to the thou:hts That HerKaded so ;u=h Cf ;y Hast8 Bur/ed thou:hts8 Sto.en ;o;ents8 Barr/=aded under the Safety of s/.en=e8 Sto.en by the a=t/ons of ?ear and doubt8 L/th/n th/s =hest ./es A sH/r/t unbro3en8 A steed burn/n: @/th The des/re to run At fu.. Ha=e a:a/nst The odds set forth By an un3no@n dTheye8 A 3n/:ht ready to >o batt.e a:a/nst the gery b.a=3s;/th that ?or:ed h/s /ron h/de8 E =an see a:a/n8 A :reen .ands=aHe

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Jade r/=h by hands And Ko/=es8 A s3y ;ade b.ue by The softness of a Bea;/n: earth8 A sun ;ade br/:ht fro; The ref.e=t/ons of a B/../on s;/.es8 E =an see a:a/n8 And as a resu.tU E =an fee.8 The ra=/n: heart of The ea:er steed8 The ea:er ;/nd of The steady 3n/:ht8 The t/=3.e of the Grass a:a/nst ;y s3/n8 The @h/sHer of the L/nd as E ad;/re the S3y8 E =an fee. a:a/n8 And on=e ;ore8 E sHea38 Jy heart oHens8 Jy hand ;oKes8 Jy ;/nd ./stens8 And ;y sou. understandsP

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Gary 0. 0. Boston

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2roblems are li*e clay 8 +hat comes out of them is often a great masterpiece. Gary J. J. Boston

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