John Stetson Poet Lyric

A Fairy Tale of Austin

Christmas Eve in Austin, and its warm
Brother up in Portland, hope he shelters through the storm
We never much cared for them, when we roamed these streets together
Now he's where he has to navigate some diff'rent weather
Whether he is safe these days, will often cross my mind
I hope that he finds something, these streets can be unkind

I'll walk through the drive-thru. sometimes I find some coins
Besides they're playing carols, sometimes I choose to join
Not singing much these days though, I don't have much voice
But sometimes some old song I hear will bring back every choice
I've made that led me down the road, that led down to these streets 
I see it in the faces holding eyes mine never meet 

Sometimes some come back to mind, when I close my own	
Lying on the ground will sometimes bring back thoughts of home 
The eyes there were not always kind, but I had a bed 
Funny how some memories, will sneak back in your head 
Mostly when you're lying down, or some familiar sound 
Will dredge up all these thoughts and dreams you try hard to keep down

Merry Christmas colors, everywhere around
Deer horns on the minivans, but the horns with different sounds
Are the ones aimed my direction, they're not a friendly sound
Reflection from the outside looking in is what I've found
Tomorrow at the shelter, they will have a Christmas feast
But you have to trade it for a night inside off of the streets

It's not a trade I often make, to tame the growling beast
But I'll decide tomorrow, if I'll join the lost and least
Merry Christmas, Christmas Eve, another year has passed
Every year I wonder, if this one is my last
To spend it here or anywhere, I always have the choice
While I'm still making choices, I know I still have a voice

The road down to the edge of town, gets longer every year
But there I'll find a quiet place, away from Christmas cheer

I have a spot behind some trees, along the railroad track
Merry Christmas from the window, Mary Kay Cadillac
Some coins bounce to the pavement, one rolls into a crack
I think that I can fish it out, between cars flying by
It's a little risky, but I think it's worth a try
Merry, Merry Christmas…  in Austin where it's warm

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment