Words Fail
(For Steve Baratta)
Words fail
Become monotonous,
Ritualistic,
Routine of writing.
Self delusion
Calls it sacred.
Me I have no envy,
Idols dead, or on the way.
I seek the living,
A real human connection.
I have seen the greatest minds
Of my generation
Go insane,
No patience.
All instant
Gratification.
I never asked Steve
Why he shook
As he slept
On my apartment floor.
Because it beat sleeping
In the bed of a pick-up
In the cold Hollywood streets.
This wounded genius.
I searched for the answer to save him,
Which proved to me I was not a savior.
I was only a mortal man
Armed with compassion most lacked.
He used follow me around
Like I was a savior.
When he should have been
Working on himself.
Steve knew I would protect him
If no one else did.
I left Steve behind,
At the end of the line.
To the point he could not
Follow me anymore.
He had to stand on his own.
Sadly I knew he couldn't,
Some people are just too gentle
For this jungle of a world.
I couldn't hold him up anymore.
I left Steve standing
Looking on sadly,
On the curb of the bus station
Clinging to my sleeping bag
To keep him warm
On those cold Hollywood nights.
Words fail,
Become monotonous,
This ritual
I could never step away from.
These words
They have kept me breathing.
Saved my life
Time after time.
The Muse would be my only friend.
Visit me when no one else would.
Looking back I understand
Steve had this within himself
This is all I ever
Wanted him to know. |
