GENERATIONS Copyright (C) 1997 by Not Nice Music
I. IMPROMPTUS by Solomon S. Drogin

18. Lonesome

Long did he wait
	Half in hope, more in fear
No word, despair set in
	Away went he, to his solitude

A long line waited
	But he cared not
Espying young ladies
	Not the one he visioned

A boat rowed he
	The first bridge passed
Plunk, splash, dip
	The next bridge ahead.

He collides with one
	Another bumps his stern
Straight ahead, the bridge's nigh
	Ah, breathe deep, we are clear

Slowly paddling toward the place
	Where a past afternoon, she
Poetry had read 'neath cool sky
	But now, lonesome did he row

Boats drifted by him
	Couple here and lovers there
A soft song o'er to his left
	Rose to the sky above him

If one word she had said
	Perhaps my heart could rest
But no, drift toward the bank
	A fair maiden yonder I espy

"Would thee into my boat clamber?"
	"No, young 'un, not with thee"
"Then, farewell, maiden fair
	I paddle to your middle again"

The stars looked down
	A lone traveler was he
But peace came to him
	As his arms stroked water

Thoughts no longer sped his mind
	Slowly he started his way back
Couples here and lovers there
	But alone, all alone, rowed he slow

Bump, scrump, sqump, squash
	The bridge ahead turmoil began
Bridges past, his boat tied in
	Just a drink, before home I go

He dozed, the subway bore him fast
	His station, at last, he walked
To-morrow another day, he thought
	What may it to me bring?