Minor Bridge Song Poem by Patrick O'Reilly

Counting on summer, counting the steps
To the cafe from home.
Breaking some backs on the cracks dividing the sidewalk,
Nearly bending my own.

Caught you standing on the corner with crate of 78's
Under your arm, thumb pointing to the sun.
A woman shouted out a window on the second floor
Pleading with us never to die alone.

But lucky I keep a pen for occasions such as these
So I can trace and measure the breeze.
Lucky I keep it in for occasions such as these
To describe the people dancing in the streets.

Ambling madly across the town,
Giving an inch, taking you out tonight.
Past your apartment to the haunted railway bridge
That hangs over the river and sleep there for awhile.

Twisting the cork from a half empty bottle
To get to the bottom of this.
The wind and the whiskey bite as cold as icicles
And then they're ignored and forgotten, like a good-bye kiss.

But lucky I keep a pen for occasions such as these
When I need to get some peace.
Lucky I keep it in, for occasions such as these,
So it smothers me off to sleep.