Bleeding Hand

Did I know you long ago
Were we deserters from that war
Veterans stacking sandbags
Who found the chore a bore
Trying to fight the flood and dam this river
Or did we think it safe to swim, me, you, him
Damn your liver
And lost sharks smelling blood
I’m a forgiver
Who came
With the heart of a dope
And veins full of same
Who can’t give up this slender rope
Where’s the harm?
I’ve got a hole in my arm and a bleeding hand
And a sliver of hope
To reach dry land

- Alfonso Mangione
  May 5, 2010