In midnight alleys we hear Him whisper
A grateful benediction to she who gave ease
To Him who offered life and sight to her
And all our benighted sisters.
Gentle spikenard for bleeding feet
Sovereign ointment for wounded head
Soothing balsam for ruined hands
Love warmed tears to mend a broken heart.
Another sunset starts our day
One more night of play for pay.
In the dark our only warmth hot tears,
Soon freeze dried in chilly noisome air.
Who placed us here, to be condemned
In the night wanderer’s despise-ed trade?
Loving father, even Mother,
Husband, son, wastrel brother?
Virtuous wives, cops on their beat
Plunge venomed darts, stiletto-ed beaks,
Into the pulsing, helpless meat,
Their easy targets our
Heated weary failing hearts.
Only we pay while others make free
With our souls so rudely taken.
All, all eat of our broken spirits,
Save He who stayed your killing hands.
In midnight alleys a dim light flickers,
On cobbles a worn penny falls.
A shuffle of feet, a hoarse voice calls –
Heralding our final bloody dawn?
Gentle spikenard for bleeding feet
Sovereign ointment for wounded head
Soothing balsam for ruined hands
Love warmed tears to mend a broken heart.