"Rick, this is great! It is a masterclass in alliteration, especially in the Verses, where it never sounds contrived. " - Paul Welsman
The boats turn on the breaker
And bleed upon the shore
Beggars lick their dreams
Of when they had something more
I plead pawn and pray
Lay sleepless on the straw
If the hunger of hell were a harmony
I could sing to what I saw
In the haze of Spring the church bells ring
To clear the mousy air
The fare ladies on the street
Shave and sell their hair
A Blind man at midnight ain't seen
Darker times than these
God have mercy on my soul or
It's work house fever for me
The spike the pick the shovel
Blister both my hands
They say labor is a freedom
This poor boy can understand
Doctor passed me yesterday
Now I'm weak with chill
If the devil in the dirt don't drag me down
The one in the work house will
In the haze of Spring the church bells ring
To clear the mousy air
The fare ladies on the street
Shave and sell their hair
A Blind man at midnight ain't seen
Darker times than these
God have mercy on my soul or
It's work house fever for me