Hey Teach Me

So this is not your typical poem, this is an example of what I call a poem song. It is kind of like a song, I guess you could say they are lyrics, but the words were never written for music, or I don't even think it would be possible to accompany the words with music. So its a poem that follows the structure of a song with verses and a chorus. This one I wrote back on September 9, 1996. I remember the date, because I had spent earlier time that day visiting with a little old lady in a run down 50 year old wood apartment building in Tallinn Estonia. We sat in front of a large window that see would sit in front of, and watch the world go by. She just talked and talked like it was something she very rarely got to do. I came home that night sat down and pretty much wrote this poem because of that experience.

Hey Teach Me

Hey granny sitting in the rocking chair,
What did you see out the window today?
Did you see the old man yell at the world,
And watch the children play?
Did the flowers grow anymore?
Did the young man really go to fast?
Hey granny, in the rocking chair,
What did you see out the window today?

Chorus:
What have you seen through the days of your life?
What experiences do you have?
Hey tell me the wisdom that you have learned,
Hey teach me the things you can.
You know things that I don't know,
Please help me where you can.

Hey old man, sitting at the end of the street.
Where did you sleep last night?
What did you have for your meal,
And how warm are your hands?
Do you migrate like the birds in the fall,
And follow the warmth of the sun?
Hey old man at the end of the street,
What special things, do you hold in your hands?

Hey old lady, laying in the bed dying,
Were you young once before?
What was your world like, a long time ago,
And were you beautiful?
What are things that I should learn before I die?
Was your life full of happiness and are you ready to die?
Hey old lady, laying there slowly slipping away,
Were you young once, a long time ago?

Hey young school boy, playing in the street.
Do you know what your future holds?
What kind of world will you live in,
And what will be your goals?
Will you be a leader of a Nation,
Or a wondering old man?
Hey young school boy, playing in the street,
Do you know what your future holds?

Chorus:
What have you seen through the days of your life?
What experiences do you have?
Hey tell me the wisdom that you have learned,
Hey teach me the things you can.
You know things that I don't know.
Please teach me the things you can.