“Forgotten Man”

  

c. 2026 Rod Ice

All rights reserved

(10-26)

 

 

My bed was cold this morning, when sunlight brought the day

I wanted to ignore the call, but it didn’t go that way

I had to face myself, in a glimmer of the sun

And that reflection reminded me of things that I had done

Now I used to be a family man, living right with God

And I walked the straight-and-narrow, a figure to applaud

But I put a step asunder, and it took me off the line

I ended up alone, and running out of time

You might think this story is a tale of woe to sell

But in my sad confession is advice for living well

If you see what I have done, and wish to turn aside

I’ll cheer your better nature, to shun this death, defied

 

I had no such intention, to follow a fateful plan

But now I’m on the outside, a fallen, forgotten man

 

My bed was once a happy place, a throne for king and queen

Where love and all devotion, made the heavens gleam

But when my wife grew weary, she opened up the door

Because I had lost sight of what my working days were for

She went home to her family, a choice that made good sense

And I was left to struggle on, paying all the rent

Eventually, I realized that the fight was not to win

I could not find a victory in the fleeting fires of sin

By that time, my better half had disappeared from sight

I could not find her anywhere, searching day and night

It broke me like a swayback mule, no longer worth its keep

And I found only restless hours, as I tried to sleep

 

I had no such intention, to follow a fateful plan

But now I’m on the outside, a fallen, forgotten man

 

My body used to boast the strength, of a dozen men

And I could always beat their best, right to the very end

But age and consequences, have now taken a toll

And I sit in a pew as the preacher prays, in defense of mortal souls

My hands they are a-trembling, with guilt and a touch of guile

Never did I understand that fool’s gold is an ashen pile

No luster of a treasure, that glistens in the light

It would have been much better to do, what I knew was right

The final moment found me weak, I gave it all away

Everything that I had learned from the time of my first birthday

My pockets all were empty, I had no claim to hope

Nothing left but a reputation, vanished into smoke

 

I had no such intention, to follow a fateful plan

But now I’m on the outside, a fallen, forgotten man

 

If you see me at the park, head down against the wind

And wonder about the man I was, what I once had been

Perhaps you’ll take a lesson, and repent of your own deeds

The hour is not too late, my friend, to hear and then believe

I’ve never thought about the world as owing anything

I expect no gifts or accolades, no seeking of a brass ring

But the yield of pride is slim and slight, when the rooster crows

I could have held the crown, but it was not the prize I chose

As darkness filled the sky, I saw the sands run out

And that view made me shield my eyes, from bitterness and doubt

The dice-roll that I cast, paid a debt of failed intent

And I was left to face the scrolls, with my final judgment

 

I had no such intention, to follow a fateful plan

But now I’m on the outside, a fallen, forgotten man