the cut

you flee across the river or you die

crying your shame at a strange mortal word

while men on horseback laugh and tell a lie

that nothing's sweeter under tropic sky

than rum and parsley knowing that's absurd

you flee across the river or you die

not knowing who has sold you nor the why

the tawdry reasons that the people heard

while men on horseback laugh and tell a lie

about imagined crimes and then imply

your clearest guilt so your fate is deserved

you flee across the river or you die

screaming in terror while no single eye

dares to meet yours and no heart is stirred

while men on horseback laugh and tell a lie

the only winner seems to be the fly

glutted with blood of bodies uninterred

you flee across the river or you die

while men on horseback laugh and tell a lie