Jericho

It was not two days, a night and a day

I look back at the man he was before

a sorry stranger banged up on the shore

your warm arms tore the walls down.

the devil with the damn things anyway

they were of no use, just a frame

from there he would watch, watch only.

not taking a part in this world

I'd sold my mule and bale of hay

these shoes left, tattered and worn

they'd carry me to heaven or they'd walk straight to a hole

I didn't see you coming 'til I heard you there.

In one single breath, in two or three words

the old man crossed the bridge and down the side

and I was left standing holding my sword

dropped in on the ground, I didn't need it any more.

a soul to sink into, washing mine clean

I rolled like a hog on holiday

laughing boy laugh, smiling boy smile

this was no usual day.

my hunch back was straight backed my eyes were on the fire

then I finally remembered what living used to be like

playing in the ocean popping rhythms with your hands

turned the key in the lock and the door swung wide.

and what did we find inside?

a man with a reinvented view.

no shirt no pants, the old hang bird is skinned

floating in a cooking pot.

you stabbed me with honesty, passion and peace

and a will to move on with legs of steel

arms like popeye, giddy like olive,

dancing like sweet pea with a wide open grin

now I begin retelling the story

of the lost boy in chains, saved by a girl.