elisem | Entries tagged with the final connection

Neil has this on his journal, which Mike wrote in 2003:

THE FINAL CONNECTION

Why are there so many songs about hearses?

The way to the uttermost side,

Hearses go fast, and traffic parts for them,

But who's in a hurry to ride?

Wagons and roads are an eloquent metaphor,

Gentling and straightening the way,

Everyone takes that last exit to Brooklyn,

Home at the end of the day

Remember the start of Magnificent Seven?

Steve and Yul drove to Boot Hill,

Just a small fable of folks being equal,

And going to sleep where you will.

Tickets and transfers and waiting for answers

At something so common yet strange,

Someday you'll ride it, the last train to Clarksville,

All classes, all stations . . . all change.

Look out the window and wave to the strangers

What do they see in the glass?

Up ahead, can you see, we've stopped for Emily,

There will be more as we pass.

Savor the journey, however you're going,

It's been your whole life to get there,

Someday I'll travel, without reservations,

I hope I've two coins for my fare.

-- John M. Ford, 2003

It's a lovely thing.

Elise Matthesen