Fathers 60th Birthday Speech

THE PHANTOM OF Tom Joad

men walking along the tracks
direct nowhere, there is no return;
helicopters that sprout from the hill road,
soup on the stove to heat under the bridge,
the line for the housing that goes around the block:
welcome to the new world order.
Families who sleep in the car in southwest
Neither home nor work, nor security nor peace.

The highway is alive tonight But nobody has any illusions
about where it ends
'm sitting here in the light of bonfires
and seeking the ghost of Tom Joad.

pulls out a book from the sleeping bag
the preacher lights up a butt and takes a pull
waiting for the day that the last shall be first and first last
in a cardboard box in the subway
I have a single ticket for the promised land
have a hole in the belly and a gun in his hand
sleep on a pillow of stone into the water you brush
Hall.

The highway is alive tonight
but where does it go and we all know;
'm sitting here in the light of bonfires
and wait for the ghost of Tom Joad.

Tom said "Mom, wherever a policeman knocking a person
wherever a child is born crying from hunger
wherever there is a fight against blood and hatred in the air
look for me and I'll be there.
Wherever you fight for a space of dignity
for a decent job, a helping hand wherever someone

watch them struggle to be free in my eyes and see me. "

The highway is alive tonight
but no one has any illusions about where it ends
'm sitting here in the light of bonfires
along with the ghost of old Tom Joad.