Troubadour

Play for me, troubadour, lute or guitar,
Pluck at my memories traversed afar,
Gambolling children, gallant romancers,
Fluttering maypoles, interweave dancers,
Beside golden meadows, bee-buzzing wheat,
Lovers and laughter, long summer's heat.

Play for me troubadour, jazz cavalcade,
Sax upon high, lead the parade,
Roll back the waters, dixieland band,
Bourbon and gambling, take back your land.
Wailing, and haunting into the night,
Horn player calling, city ignite!

Play for me troubadour, into a trance,
Sioux, Anazasi, indian dance,
Flute! Kokopelli, cry incantations,
Unify, justify, 500 nations.

Play for me troubadour, still midnight air,
Gas mingled mists, stench everywhere,
Softly harmonica carries, ears strain,
Familiarly, achingly, war ravaged pain,
Tears coalesce, dim photograph clutched,
Merge mud, rot and blood,the leaders untouched.

Play for me troubadours down eternity
You play our emotions, sometimes cruelly
But always responding, fools that we are,
Into battle religious or secular,
Yet wakening passion, the gentle emotions.
Joy, tranquility, quiet devotions.