c. 2026 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(3-26)
Note to Readers: These lyrics came to mind today, for a rollicking, Rolling Stones sort of Rock anthem. With a twanging guitar and lots of barrelhouse piano in full force.
I was lost by the lake, in downtown Cleveland
In a place where old men should never go
It had been too long since I had that feeling
Of a concrete king, in a leather tuxedo
My last ride till dawn, was sure to deliver
A thrill like I could not remember for years
I ran out of gas, by the Cuyahoga River
With a sputter of silence, and grinding gears
Now I saw a young maiden, strutting on heels
Too far removed from the stadium lights
She said, “Hire me quick, for whatever appeals!”
It was the best thing I heard that night
With a fifty-dollar bill crumpled in my hand
I stood and stared as she twirled like a princess
“Call your shot, big hillbilly man!”
What sealed the deal was her caress
She took every cent that I had left
I should have tanked-up, and headed for home
Now I’m walking my way back to loneliness
With a brand-new rattle, for these ragged old bones
An empty wallet bargain, one made like a boozer
I sold my soul to remember that vibe
The fancy feeling of a lover, not a loser
In my cowboy boots, got nothing to ride
A younger self, street-stranded on a corner
Might have laughed at her seedy, sales pitch
But I fell easily for this public performer
A hunting prize for a professional bitch
She had an offer, I hadn’t heard in years
One designed to get my eyes crossed, and more
When the play finished, I had a wallet in arrears
And a gnawed-up sensation like an apple core
I surely knew better than to take such a risk
With a daring damsel wearing fishnets and spandex
But foolish pride made me flex my wrist
And pull out a bankroll of government checks
A better design would have funded my good time
Put me back in the saddle, for a kick
But the momentary impulse of a sinner and sweet wine
Brought out temptation, with rouge and lipstick
When it was over, I had to pinch my nose
Though that rush was one I surely missed
I gave up the ghost for a stomp in the shadows
A squeeze of my jewels and a lively kiss
An empty wallet bargain, one made like a boozer
I sold my soul to remember that vibe
The fancy feeling of a lover, not a loser
In my cowboy boots, got nothing to ride
Back at the ranch, in a far-eastern county
I never admitted what had transpired
It took a friend with a wrecker and a bounty
To get my bike rolling, on a fresh set of tires
The mood I was in, lasted long enough to please
I had to figure it was worth the distress
The calling card was a swivel to her knees
And clingy, cat claws, ripping through her dress
It seemed assured, we wouldn’t meet again
A chance encounter, when we eloped
A change of pace, for a pay-date friend
A temporary tease, a tug at the rope
But on cold nights when I’m in my neighborhood
That story might still come to mind
And cause a smile to spread for the good
Reflecting on that revival of old times
I won’t gasp with guilt, just a bashful boy
A jumping jones, with mad respect
I won a blue ribbon from that streetwalking decoy
And hiked on home, with a tight-hanging turkey neck
An empty wallet bargain, one made like a boozer
I sold my soul to remember that vibe
The fancy feeling of a lover, not a loser
In my cowboy boots, got nothing to ride
