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The King of the United States

from Into Light: The Poems of M. D. Friedman by Mad Dog Friedman

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lyrics

The King of the United States

“I am the King of the United States,
and we can fix this mess,”
Dad proclaims from his nursing home throne.
“It is good to walk,” I reply.

We carefully negotiate the splintered rafters
shattered by Parkinson’s, the ink blots of mold
where the dark water seeps in.
Pieces of his life bob idly in brackish pools.

Fear and anger swell within him,
black springs riddled with reflections,
rippling with frustrations he forgets as quickly as they arrive.
We pick our way across a broken web of memories

dribbling with brine and shuffle to the outside. He knows
I stopped at the store. He enjoys the grapes and chocolate,
whistles in reply to the afternoon birdsong
and offers to make me the Minister of Trade.

credits

from Into Light: The Poems of M. D. Friedman, released January 1, 2024

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Mad Dog Friedman | Mad Dog Blues | Peddlers of Joy image

Mad Dog Friedman | Mad Dog Blues | Peddlers of Joy Lafayette, Colorado

Mad Dog writes from the moment and sings from his heart. His influences include sources as divergent as William Butler Yeats & the delta blues. His songwriting is sincere, simple & often humorous. He has recorded many solo & collaborative projects featuring his spontaneous compositions on harmonica, Native American flute & Theremin. He is also the founder of Mad Dog Blues & The Astral Project. ... more

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