Tough Love

he is a small town boy

in love with

the city

since he could crawl

he knew about tough love

what a pity

it is he didn't

get enough love

to see him through

he comes home

with gum 

on the sole of his shoe

he side steps

the spit

the pavement pizza

and dog shit

he's in love with

the city

the neon lights

the fly by nights

the pub fights

the girls in tights

oh, so pretty

what a pity

it is he mumbles 

when he talks

he stumbles 

when he walks

he knows about

rough love

what a pity

it is he doesn't

get enough love

to see him through

he comes home

with gum on the sole

of his shoe

he plays the guitar

like a real rock star

he weeps melodies

to the junkies

in the allies

until the homeless bitch

who once was rich

screams her obscenities 

he knows about tough love

what a pity 
it is he doesn't get 
enough love

to make him whole

to see him through

he's in love with the city

he comes home

with gum 

on the sole of his shoe

as he pulls the cardboard
over his head

he says 
Lord thank you
for this bed

 if anyone should ask
he said

 I'm not homeless

I'm not alone

I'm waiting for my Father

to call me home

©Rose