A SONG FOR LAST YEAR

© 2002 Mark Robert Gates

Last year was real, but now it’s not,
Another year’s calendar past the wall,
Along with all the memories we’ve got
My not listening to you lies back
Where the pages fall.

Chorus: For last year wherever we were not,
Dropped off the calendar and stopped.
Now there are no openings
In the one we’ve got,
We stand united, and all the refuse cropped,
And now we go forth every single day,
Madly in love, a lot.

Last year blindly accepting life on its face,
For us our life style come what may,
And taking life, as is, as our place,
Like the fall foliage had their burning day.

Chorus

Last year sitting near the exit seat in flight
And planning on our needing first aid
To avoid invoking the freedom right,
We’re replaced with
Our one-way ticket full and paid.

Chorus

Last year everyone outside of us got out,
I tossed the attachment without regret,
Our feelings have given us the winning route,
Safe inside our world I no longer fret.

Chorus

Last year visions of sugar-plums dancing ahead,
Attractive but fruitless schemes beyond dreams,
And mountains and valleys,
Rugged terrain, all in my head,
Lost their allure and place as life’s themes.

Chorus

My higher authority, on earth, on you, is you!
Goddess promised us whatever we want,
I pledge my life in helping
You make for us this true:
All we want, we want,
Without debates that stunt.

Chorus: For last year wherever we were not,
Dropped off the calendar and stopped.
Now there are no openings
In the one we’ve got,
We stand united, and all the refuse cropped,
And now we go forth every single day,
Madly in love, a lot.