The Axel from Honda Bum by Nelson G Nelson

Pine tree splits in two
Halfway up the spine.
I'm more scared of getting old
Than I am of dying.
The beach is being swallowed slowly by the lake
But I hear it goes in cycles,
Seven years to the day.

Birds still hold wonder for the fading man
Staring into space till the dog nudges his hand
Can't remember yesterday nor any of his dreams
But can name the crops from his victory garden
Lettuce, peas, and beans

The axel spins on, the axel spins on
Bought, borrowed or stolen
The axel spins on.

I knew a guy called mama
Who died his hair green
Wore the flashiest winter coat
That I'd ever seen.
It ended on the gun range,
A 22 to his head
At least he died the way he lived-
Painting the town red.

The axel spins on, the axel spins on
Bought, borrowed or stolen
The axel spins on.

Days are ticking by
Since they saw me last.
If it don't happen pretty soon
I'll get buried in the past.
Maybe I'm still waiting for some accountability
But some would sooner decompose
Than utter I'm sorry.

The axel spins on, the axel spins on
Bought, borrowed or stolen
The axel spins on.

Three flags on the pole
Two whip in the wind
Seized in battle or stolen
We're all falling.

• Folk
• bathroom folk
• freak folk
• singer-songwriter
• sonic landscapes