August Afternoon

• August Afternoon

August Afternoon

Did you think that you were Jesus
as you came into the room
Your three-day growth with
oh so much longer aspirations?

Did you think that you could calm him
with a soft and measured voice
Palms raised like white bread
cut just right for grilling?

Did you think you had the Gospel
some mighty gift with words
That you could rein his raging heart in
with a careful metered verse?

On that August afternoon
The house unravelled on our watch
Just what did you think that you would do?
Pa, he had a rifle
So we shoulda called the cops

Did you think that you were Samson
in your plaited pony tail
Your arms endure the failed negotiations?

Did you think that you could hold him
down just long enough
His will dissolve, his fingers
lose their metal?

On that August afternoon
The house unravelled on our watch
On that August afternoon
Pa, he had a rifle
So we shoulda called the cops

I got a record of the accident
and it's skippin' in my mind
It can play out with a 33
or with a 45

Did you think that you were Elvis
that he'd bow before the King?
He don't go cryin' in the chapel, Pa
when a gun has hold of him

On that August afternoon
The house unravelled on our watch
On that August afternoon
Pa, he had a rifle
So we shoulda called the cops

© Brendan Bonsack
January 2015

1. Dog Whistles
2. This was the Place
3. Which Pocket?
4. Be There
5. What Kind of Yes?
6. The Historian
7. August Afternoon
8. Shells
9. Out of the Pines
10. Places for Falling

What Kind of Yes?
Released January 2015