Last of the Cold War babies
Growing up with certain expectations of a guy
Snorting testosterone without wiping thy nose
Be a brute; don’t ever let them see you cry
But I’ve learned more from the women
Multigenerational lies narrating manhood
Walk like a man; talk like a savage
Bold proclamations are seldom very good
These days we find ourselves defending facts
Ultimate truth disparaged amongst the crowd
Yet I remember wisdom in spite of the chaos
To be subtle when the whole world is loud
I may not be anything to write home about You have standards, expectations & desire Those are mostly all good & dandy But it doesn’t account for imagination like wildfire
You once made a list, checking guys off You’re a handsome lady, playing it as cool as ice I might be a possible misstep in your plans But I do know a guy like me doesn’t come around twice
By day, you’re out fighting wars Wherever politicians decide you need to roam Diplomacy by air, land & sea & the lucky ones get to return home
But your training doesn’t include this Unsure how exactly to be a regular guy Babies & tiaras & unicorns bebopping around How to explain a child’s smile can make you cry
These broken & delayed dreams Electric toothbrushes that constantly hum A pocketful of change & girls with eyes so pretty it makes me dumb
I’m not one to make a great scene Yet I’m your average middle-aged guy Not counted among the mundane I couldn’t be normal, even if I tried
So we’re all stuck in this spinning limbo A world with mixed up priorities & hate I’m confused by all this wasted time One of these days the hourglass will cease to rotate
So, I’m probably going to be late for work For my beautiful woman resides in this bed I could be responsible & get there on time But I’m always going to choose to love instead
The twinkling of stars at night Dispatched souls with nothing to lose Our lost matchbook fantasies Dwindling into aging suburban blues Not fond of Covid nor the Spanish Flu I’d rather have some Spanish Fly Mix it in my cup, “yo baby, what’s up?” I’m still that awkward ass, abnormative guy Fading time to time into darkness But I try to emerge into the light these days A bounce in my step/mischief in my eye Growing younger in spirit despite all these grays
You’re holding expectations Needing me to be a better guy Wishing I was more successful Hating my truth; you’d prefer a lie So I wander within my own skin To become what you want in a man Each day, I’m ever more the pirate Soon, they’re be no more Peter Pan