Take off your belt and roll it up, The phone will not be ringing: And even though some cat should call, You've no guts left for swinging.

Link by link snap all your chains And sweep them in the gutter

That gleam that made eyes flicker once Now doesn't cause a flutter.

Jerk off your jeans and bury them, They only draw a snicker:

For they and you are all bleached out By years of piss and liquor.

Then store your cycle in the barn, Your engine's finished humming: There's no fuel left to keep it going, Nor fuel to keep you coming.

The races all are run at last,

And firm brown seats are sagging:

The wheels that whirled are spokeless now, And only Time is dragging.

Where's that buddy gone that tried One drunken night to mingle

His blood and yours in a Liebestod? Was he really buried single?

And where's the pal that used to sing

A song so wild and randy?

Is he the one in the crazy house

Sucking on sugar candy?

Now say, "So long," to smoky bars, But try, man, not to tarry:

The crowds there change so terribly fast, And of strangers they are wary.

And lift a finger to all the gang,

Not one will bang much longer:

You fooled the fuzz and screwed the cops,

But Time's police are stronger.

So wave goodnight to all true friends

(Have you ever really met one?):

And when Darkness arrives to snarl, "Up yours!" May your last dream be a wet one.

Louis Sacriste

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