Pt. 1: Whispers Up the Hill

“Head cranes - peering past your shoulder

- What are you lookin’ for?

Are there any problems? No?

Then why you starin’ at the floor?

Alarm responses blarin’ low;

On an edge - pretend some more;

Appendages and neck so tense, yo, it’s as if your end was known;

You’re shivering - do you feel cold?

Jump into the river - forget your fear of getting ‘Old’;

You’re moldering below the skin; Knees dip - I do mean deep

- you stripped yourself of what you wore;

Now, where’s your heart?

Yo, where’d it go?

Is THAT what you’re scared to show?

I dare you - grow;

Stare at all the terrors, Joe;

Glare at all the errors, that seems fairer than your moping bro;

Don’t stow woes - don’t sow ‘em either;

False pride will be your death - your ego blows;

You’re so eager to beleaguer foes: Why put others down?

Do you want those folks to drown or frown like you - the way you’ve come to know?

I hope you climb this steeper slope;

Do I believe you’re meager? Nope;

I percieve you being shown the way

- I’m here to stay - I’m not afraid;

I think you’re sane; I don’t play games;

I’ll show you shame.”

...

“Recollections of back when evoked:

I felt constricted then - I’d choke;

Today I joke;

I sift through holes and fill them -

Spoke up, I had to lift my soul;

Woke up, I asked: ‘Do you feel Old?’

I roll my muscles, crack my bones;

Stroll, then bustle - grab a hold;

I feel my age, but primed so well;

The vestiges of then, they pale;

I’m fine - I’m healing, redressing ails.”

- Old Dying Joe