TIME TRAVELER
DAVE THE POET

There is a man who lives, On the outskirts of town
Don’t come out much, Seen him hanging around
Lives down by, The railroad tracks
Says he can go anywhere, Then come right back

Told me, What it was like to live free
Sleep out under the stars, With the birds in the trees
Everything he owned, Strapped across his back
Lives down by, The railroad tracks
Says he can go anywhere, Then come right back

There was a freedom in the way, He told his tales
People and towns, Following the sun, Riding the rails
Said he missed a lot, But saw it all
Didn’t need windows or walls
Long since gone clickity-clack
Can go anywhere, Then come right back

Family is important, Though he had none
Drinking took his wife, Afghanistan his son
Called himself a hobo, Not a bum
A warrior knows, When to retreat or attack

Sunrise, A misty morning, On the southbound track
The four-twenty left with him, His dog and his precious pack
Train rolled, Whistle blew, Smoke poured out the stack
A ghost on the move
Saluted my soul
With a tear and a smile, He faded
Changed my life, Never came back