I once looked out into the sun
and saw strange people looking on;
I once swan down into the sea
and saw a mermaid jumping free;
I once walked out into the street
and felt green grass beneath my feet;
I once forgot to wind my watch
heard Mae West, 20th century fox;
I once gave money to a dying man
he laughed, got up, then he ran;
I once saw prostitutes on corners
now it’s buskers, druggies, mourners;
I once felt sand between my toes
on a beach of concrete paving stones;
I once saw mushrooms in the sky
and all the flowers bent and died;
I once went searching, a lonely track
and saw strange people coming back;
I once heard children laugh and sing
and -
then -
the -
tape -
ended… I once…
I once…
I once…
Copyright: Anthony Leonard Ostheimer (ALO), 25 October 1972