Ascension

When they built the highway,

They had to blow up the mountains.

Workmen wedged their sticks into the sleeping stone,

Then ran like they'd stole somethin.



I am just a gypsy black bird,

I came up here to get away

From ribbon-cutters, bone-breakers, sharp shysters and lovers who lie.

Sometimes I see another, prettier bird.

Sometimes I see a climber with the zen in her eyes,

But mostly,

I am alone.



If I were human,

I would take to the streets of some city

With tangles in my hair, no beauty secrets.

I would have dogs, about five of 'em.

I would kiss their filthy heads as if I were the Holy Mother,

Pass love from me to them like morning sun through a honey jar.



But I am just a gypsy black bird,

A speck in the sky;

My flight feathers spell out my name and that's all I need.



Always,

There is some man with a plan, or some witch with a little bitty raisin heart

Come dynamite the mountain

And my home of woven straw along with it.

It falls like a spirit out of Heaven, and I take off flapping like hell,

On to the next place,

While people look up and shout,

"Shoot it!"

"Catch it!"

Or sometimes,

Just sometimes,

"Fly like a bitch, baby, yeah!"

And I do.

________