Black Water from Smash Hits by Roger Dean Young

Oh Regina, you’ve got a hold on me
Half of the good that’s happened
Out here arose in your womb from a seed
Planted by windstorm
In a late April shower while the Cheyenne sang “Ça Ira”

Oh black water glistens on the street
Where the light falls and bleeds
Death is a reflex, life is a footstep planted on a sidewalk uphill
En route to anywhere marigolds bloom
Or Jedara in the second century

The horse and the rider have drowned in the sea
No need looking back for your enemy
Don’t cry for your young, they’re caught up in the rye
The street leads to the sweet bye and bye

Oh Regina, you virgin queen
When the hobos spilled over the tops of your boxcars
You slaughtered with an innocent ease
Deliver me an anthology of poetry inspired by,
Or a painting like Goya’s to really see

Oh black water, runs in my soul as I watch the boys bleed
Holden’s arms open, while Moses emboldened
Rages over the molten beast
Pray tell an intercessory that might cross my lips
A melody keyed for the spirits release

The horse and the rider have jumped in the sea
No need looking back for your enemy
Don’t cry for your young, they’re caught up in the rye
The street leads to the sweet bye and bye

• Folk
• ramshackle
• Victoria