Dicing with death, dancing with the reaper 


Тhere goes old man double sticks
One cane after another, clickty-clicks
Skin to match those darting snake eyes
Another day cuff links, shave, tea and fries
Tipping his hat, always time for a hello for a stranger
Memories gone so the chance of recognition? no danger
Look closer as you pass participating in your private races
Your future is as plain as the nose on your two faces
You don’t need a fortune teller, guru, yoga or aura reader
He can tell you your part of Bo Peep game of follow the leader
Double sticks can predict your fate on the spot
He knows your game, you’re all the same, your lot

I stopped once you know; let me tell you the tale.
He’d see it all; fame, fortune, the world and jail.
Six kids but only hears from one now
In fact two had already taken their final bow
Own business, flash cars and the gift of the patter
Although he admits, he could have improved his timing for the latter

Now he stands in the street waiting on Weatherspoon’s to open
That ripped puffa jacket and V-neck absolutely soakin
The ladies used to love Jake the follower of fashion
But no more, he knows rope for laces means he’s lost his passion
Still his eyes may confuse the young into thinking their mind is mistaken
As the lingering power of his natural attraction can never be taken
Hell sit on his favourite stool reading the form
He never used to be interested in horse racing, but now it seems the norm
One eye checking form, one watching the 3.45 from Doncaster
Deep down he knows that the only race he wants to go faster

I stopped once you know; let me tell you the tale.
He’d see it all; lost wife, failure, the world and jail.
Loss of confidence held him from approaching the girl of his dreams
Laziness, selfishness, never even picked for the teams
No idea where his six kids are now
He sometimes imagines that the twins have taken their final bow
Unemployment was an excuse, used to justify the abuse
Never had any patter, not one good story to tell
Still his memories gone, and its probably just as well