Monday poem: Tom Waits

In college I found Magnum and Tom Waits at roughly the same time, which was also roughly the same time that I began to drink coffee and bourbon (separately). I was probably at some party at Mizzou, stealing beers from grad students who should know better than to buy a premium six-pack and leave it unguarded in the fridge, when someone put on a Waits album. Already passionate for jazz and blues, I was instantly hooked. Later I remember my friend Travis driving us a ridiculously short distance to Ernie's diner in the morning hungover after several too many, he had a cigarette hanging wildly out of his mouth while shouting the lyrics caterwaul-style, so we could replay a mix CD with "Filipino Box Spring Hog" on it. Damn, that's a great tune.

I'm going to write a longer post about Waits and how I wish I could photograph even a fraction of the way that he can create music... but for now enjoy these two rather short song/poems. The second should be familiar to those of you out there who are (like me) fans of HBO's "The Wire."

Tom Waits | "Frank's Wild Years (for Frankie Z.)"

Well Frank settled down in the Valley
and hung his wild years
on a nail that he drove through
his wife's forehead
he sold used office furniture
out there on San Fernando Road
and assumed a $30,000 loan
at 15 1/4 % and put down payment
on a little two bedroom place

his wife was a spent piece of used jet trash
made good bloody marys
kept her mouth shut most of the time
had a little Chihuahua named Carlos
that had some kind of skin disease
and was totally blind. They had a
thoroughly modern kitchen
self-cleaning oven (the whole bit)
Frank drove a little sedan
they were so happy

One night Frank was on his way home
from work, stopped at the liquor store,
picked up a couple Mickey's Big Mouths
drank 'em in the car on his way
to the Shell station, he got a gallon of
gas in a can, drove home, doused
everything in the house, torched it,
parked across the street, laughing,
watching it burn, all Halloween
orange and chimney red then

Frank put on a top forty station
got on the Hollywood Freeway
headed north
Never could stand that dog

Tom Waits | "Way Down in the Hole"

When you walk through the garden
you gotta watch your back
well I beg your pardon
walk the straight and narrow track
if you walk with Jesus
he's gonna save your soul
you gotta keep the devil
way down in the hole

he's got the fire and the fury
at his command
well you don't have to worry
if you hold on to Jesus hand
we'll all be safe from Satan
when the thunder rolls
just gotta help me keep the devil
way down in the hole

All the angels sing about Jesus' mighty sword
and they'll shield you with their wings
and keep you close to the lord
don't pay heed to temptation
for his hands are so cold
you gotta help me keep the devil
way down in the hole

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