Patchwork Paradise

Ode to the countrymen who mind their P's and Q's
Discussing times forsaken after friendly pint or two
Standing inside byways, watching a match consume
Troubles as feathers fly and maybe a wager or two
For these are the journeys where many a spirit has dwelt
And if time has an answer it is the sound of the closing bell

Codes are meant to be broken by the clever and the damned
For the balance is carefully weighed by attempts to understand
Shouting out the reasons, there may be causes never known
If secrets bring tranquility, why does everyone seem to know
And draw lines in the sand that seem too quickly blown away
As confusion takes the stand giving lessons our preference pays

Sew the squares of patchwork and let designs come into play
Thoughts of patterns fill your head as your eyes give the display
Every stitch has a piece of honor and a piece of heart and soul
And although you've done this a thousand times, the story still unfolds
As a breeze on the horizon proudly unfurls the flag of stars and stripes
And will the circle remain unbroken in your corner of patchwork paradise

As the body is woven together in circumstantial uneven times
We become broader and bluer as mysteries and histories gently rewind
Although the fabric of this tale may be the norm without a clue
Some feel the rift of flag and glory as many others just feel blue
As certain percentage say last goodbyes and then all wonder why
Society has lost many a song: Hope it seemed just got mired in that wrong

So we're advancing everyday inside out from print nomenclature
And the smolder leaves no doubt how many books have met their maker
As the ashes spread from sleepy valley to urban legend supplying grins
Backyard barbecues never fire again and in the bottom flaps a piece of tin
Photo frames with price tags still on containing pictures of nice looking strangers
Is this how a family should look; shook, and they wave the flag at parades
At face after face of strangers