thinking in colors

you never knew who
turned out the light:
caught in a windstorm
shirt and jacket torn
cases of Pepsi and warm coke
no coins in your pocket
always flat out and busted broke
running thru the awful rain
in wide circles but speaking plain
remembering hard work for little pay
it's not what was promised but what you say
that matters
as the glass shatters
and little pieces cut you and you bleed
it's not what was promised but what you need
that matters
as the glass shatters
and stories of young men and the hanging rope
find you trying to cope
in the heat of the night
thinking in colors but always starting with white
down on your luck and out of cards
give your prospects my warmest regards
crossing into Selma for a chance to pray
it's not what was promised but what you say
that matters
as the glass shatters
and little pieces cut you and you bleed
it's not what was promised but what you need
that matters
as the glass shatters
and stories of young men and the hanging rope
find you trying to cope
in the heat of the night
thinking in colors but always starting with white
standing on a strange balcony
watching a man with a heavy knee
and he doesn't want to leave
i'm sorry but someone can't breathe
there's nothing up your sleeve
with nothing to lose and a clear eye
stand up and you will qualify
remembering hard work for little pay
it's not what was promised but what you say
that matters
as the glass shatters
and little pieces cut you and you bleed
it's not what was promised but what you need
that matters
as the glass shatters
and stories of young men and the hanging rope
find you trying to cope
in the heat of the night
thinking in colors but always starting with white.