Recent Poems

You've Got a Man to Meet

The love has been depleted and the passion obsolete.
You saw those fires burning as you shantied down the street.
You didn't stop to put them out or stamp them with your feet.
You can't waste time on fires when you've got a man to meet.

I'm pouring glasses at the bar; the ladies say I'm sweet.
The guys are rough, but they're okay; they keep me on my feet.
I think of me; I think of you; I wonder where we'd be.
I'd lie in bed beside you, but you've got a man to meet.

You never really told me what you thought of those who cheat.
You brushed it off your shoulder when I tried to take a peek.
But now I know the truth and there's no need to be discreet.
You have no time for secrets when you've got a man to meet.

At first I tried to learn the ways in which I could compete.
There must have been some weakness in this man that I could beat.
But once I saw you look at him, I knew it was complete.
A man's a lucky man if he's the one you have to meet.

Your mother taught you honor: "Get your feet out of the seat."
Your father showed you virtue and the dangers of conceit.
So who taught you to lie to me and where'd you learn to beat
The rules of love you traded for the man you have to meet?

I'll take the blame for part of your productive little feat.
With every sin you sinned I stood there handing you a treat.
So I won't dodge my punishment; I'm never one to cheat.
You're good at that; you did it with the man you have to meet.

Well, I'll be on my way; I guess I'll head back down the street.
The phantoms seem to hear me, but they're shy and I'm too meek.
Just don't forget your shoes; I wouldn't hope you got cold feet.
But that's the price of passion when you've got a man to meet.