Seen the Sea

His eyes squinted, wrinkled
at the sound of his voice
What he had to say was sour
and his face didn't lie
Said, "Boy, you've seen oceans,
but you haven't seen the sea."
Of course, they're one in the same,
but it was the context
that separated the terms
I took what I could from it,
which wasn't too much at the time
I thought I was eyeballs deep in it,
but time told me it wasn't true
And now, twenty years behind me,
I see, I'm in the midst of the sea
Drawing in and cutting down
upon my naked ankles
Yes, I see the sea,
I feel her even now

Montezuma's Castle

I remember the wind in my hair
Barreling down the blacktop,
windows down and sunroof back
When I whispered in your ear,
a coachwhip coiled in my pocket
And the smell of dampened leaves
decaying in the Chiricahuas
The mist upon my cheeks
as I wandered alone there,
among those ancient bones

You said we'd make it
to Montezuma's castle,
but we never did


I couldn't forget that trip
Some times I certainly tried
After you left us for Texas,
it was betrayal on the tongue
In hindsight, you were only
seeking your own preservation
And who could blame you?
My own instinct was obscured
beneath layers of scar tissue
and lies from her mouth,
concocted in that feeble mind
Or I'd have done the same

It just took more
for me to come around
If I sat across from you now
I'd apologize for time lost
But I'm not there now,
and Papa says you've aged,
with new ailments to tend

I shouldn't worry, though
My gut says I'll see you again,
perhaps where we never were
Maybe we'll make it this time