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Last active February 26, 2025 14:43
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Shindig (translation of Kalas by Stein Torleif Bella)

Shindig

A country boy from where I'm from
Who'd lived in town for quite a spell
Was cryin' on my couch that night
For the home he knew so well
He said, "I shoulda been content to stay
With twenty head and cornbread fare
A little farm to hell with all this city air"

'Round midnight my ex appeared
Troublin' us with her state of mind
She was pissed, said we're through for good
Since twelve years back, I quietly opined
She said, "You used to light the world aflame
Now your bike has saddle bags
Your hairline's thin, your gut hangs out, you've lost your game, chickenshit"

A buddy from down the coast
Who'd been wastin' away too long
Leapt on the table like a spring
Wantin' words with God head-on
He said, "If I'm gettin' one more go around
Why must I first taste of death?
Not sure I want to try that gamble out of bounds"

Hog-Billy's stout and round
He sat by my coastal friend
And halfway through our supper there
Little Pete is who he became instead
He said, "Mind if I crash right here tonight?
The moon and dark fill me with dread
In shadows things can happen swift without a light"

And while the pale moon shines
I hear my ex in the other room
Takin' that country boy to bed
While Hog-Billy and my coastal friend consume
Each other, and I think to myself:
None of my friends are right in the head,
And the rest can go to hell.
That's all.

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