Voir Un Ami Pleurer

Of course there are the wars in Ireland
And the tribes without music
Of course all this lack of tenderness
There's no more America
Of course money has no smell
But a smell rises to my nose
Of course we walk on flowers
But seeing a friend cry!

Of course there are our defeats
And then death that is at the end
Our bodies already bowing our heads
Surprised to still be standing
Of course unfaithful women
And birds murdered
Of course our hearts lose their wings
But but seeing a friend cry!

Of course these exhausted cities
By these fifty-year-old children
Our helplessness in aiding them
And our loves with toothaches
Of course time goes too fast
These subways filled with drowned
The truth that avoids us
But seeing a friend cry!

Of course our mirrors are honest
Neither the courage to be Jewish
Nor the elegance to be Black
We think we're a wick but we're just tallow
And all these men who are our brothers
So much that we're no longer surprised
That out of love they tear us apart
But seeing a friend cry!