Show Me The Future

The Freaks Are in Control

Show me the Future
I am seated in my chair
Do you want me to read your fortune?
Or do you only want
	good news?
	good fortune?
	a smile from the future to bring you hope?

I have a pack of cards;
I can read your palm;
throw bones upon the floor
read tea-leaves too.
But I cannot change for you the future.
You must make your own.

How many years has someone else pulled strings
to direct your way?
How many years have you been dreaming
when you should have learned to find that way?

Here are the cards:
Cards are for gamblers.
	Do you dare?
Here are the bones:
food for the dog.
	Do you care?
The lines upon your palms
are like the ribs of leaves.
	Hold out your hand and share.
Yesterday's tea-leaves are stuck in the sink
blocking the drains
	where they reproachfully stare.
They foretell the plumber will not come.
You will not be crossing over water.
You will be going nowhere
Your travelling is done
	Because?
There is no petrol so the car wont run.

Who needs cards?
	Except to burn for heat.
Who needs bones?
	Except for us to eat.
Who needs tea leaves?
	except to use again for tea
Who needs the palm of a hand?
	except to help and till the land

		* * * * *

I walked over Charles Bridge
with my Hungarian friend.
We looked down at the black water
and tried to see our dreams
We walked as far as the corner light
The shops were shut and dark
there were no cars.
"This town is tired ," she said.

Once upon a time...
Maybe in the days when Mozart came
the music played
the people danced,
and laughter mixed with gaiety and lights.

"You will love Budapest," she said
and smiled.

But that was long ago.
Now, far into the night
the lights all glow
and Prague folks now would ride
to the party if the snow
would stay outside.

Tomorrow, maybe
I will walk over Charles Bridge
look down at the black water
and dream more dreams
Look up at the castle
shrouded in dark
and maybe I will ask again
	Where have all the bright lights gone?
And maybe
from the shadows there will be
an angry muffled voice
	Gone somewhere else, every one.