Songs

Rough & Tumble

words by Chuck Perrin

the instant I became aware
I found myself t u m b l i n g
my body making full turns head over heels
eyes searching for focus
my mind grappling to find out
where I was
& what was going on

turns out it’s a f u l l – o n Hieronymus Bosch-like scene
on every side of me other arms & legs flail
spinning like batons in continuous motion
closed in tight
I’ve come to the conclusion that all I can do is
keep my head tucked
so I can roll clear of the pile when I hit the ground
if I hit the ground
my best guess now is
when I land at last
it will be with such force
that I will slide six feet under
to that final worm-eaten resting place

l’chaim