Friday, June 29, 2007

Lamentations Of A Bastard Child


Let the skies rain down in brimstone!
Hide my body in the flame!
Slay me with the fire of mercy!
Ease my suffering and shame...
Lord, you know that I am weary!
And you know I’m not to blame:
So let the skies rain down in brimstone!
For I am born without a name.

All the people mock my mother.
They all say she was a whore!
Always sleeping with some sailor
Furloughing on distant shores.
Lord, you know how much they mock me!
And you know I’m not to blame:
So let the skies rain down in brimstone!
For I am born without a name.

Or let the mountains be my pillow.
Let the forests be my bed.
Make the starry night my blanket
When I lay down to rest my head.
Take me far away to freedom!
Or, if here I must remain:
Then let the skies rain down in brimstone!
For I am born without a name.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Freedom does seem far away, so let the brimstone rain. At least we're still alive, and existentially speaking, none of us are born with a name. Names are thrust upon us from without. I was moved by this one, Joel. Thanks.