When I Make Bail

[couchgrouch]

When I Make BailHarry staggered down the hallwaywith a billyclub in his sidehe barely remembered nightcourtor punching the cop who read his rightsbut when that door slammed behind himhe gripped the bars of his cellhis words stunk of Jim Beam as he began to scream"you'll all pay when I make bail"he vowed to beat the neighborwith the nerve to call the lawswore he'd never have hit his womanno matter what that neighbor sawsaid "I'll deal with the girlfriendwho told the cops ev'ry detailthen drink two jugs down for each one she poured outand show her who's boss when I make bail"then Harry looked around the drunk tankev'ry man was a cracked and empty shelltheir words were hollow...their eyes were blankmumblin' who they'd hurt when they made bailhe awoke with shame in his mem'rya bale of cotton in his mouthhe made himself one last promisewhat he'd do when he got outhe said "when these bars are behind meI'll still be in a small, glass cellso I'll thank my girl and neighbor for doin' me a favorthen get some help when I make bailthen get some help when I make bailwhen I make bail"(c)2006 Robert George