Zen Koans Gonna Rise Again
In the alleys and doorways of old Greenwich Village
You can see the lames walking the streets up and down.
From your tenement top you can drop down your garbage
And a clyde or a cop may fall dead to the ground.
You will see bodies burning and faces fire.
With death on their backs like a john wears a coat.
For this is satori, the end of desire
To O.D. in the gutter with a curse in your throat.
Some are in slams, some are still scuffling,
(With) Nothing to keep but a twenty cent jones.
Jiving and boosting while their chicks are out hustling,
While the ache in their veins whispers death to their bones.
In the alleys and doorways of old Greenwich Village
You can see the lames walking the streets up and down.
From your tenement top you can drop down your garbage
And a clyde or a cop may fall dead to the ground.