"Who Knew The Roadmaker" (1995) by Steven Ilchev

Who Knew The Roadmaker?
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/Steven Ilchev, 1995/
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Who baked the asphalt at noon
For the bare feet of tramps
For whom that sheer torture is
To walk the note of pain?

Who knew the Roadmaker?
The baker of chocolate asphalt
Who knew the Roadmaker?
The mermaids' patrol with guns
Of a rose's blood

Who knew the Roadmaker?
The godflesh of insults,
The merciless locksmith,
The sceptical prisoner,
A canonized leader and
Minister of mediocrity

Doctor! Bug! Oh, Frog!
Walkin' the note of pain
You've dented our trees and looted
Cucumber nations for the sole purpose
Of consumption, consumption
That's spitt'n all out

Who knew the Roadmaker?
The curry salesman of kidneys,
The merry keeper of distance
The soldier of safe danger,
The baker of chocolate asphalt,
Singing the note of pain

Who knew the Roadmaker?
The blue-jeansed Professor who cooks
The meal of independence
Who knew the Roadmaker?
The sweltering stripper of clothing
In the shack of daylight's ghastly rays

I knew the one and only Roadmaker
He struck me on the spinal chord
And on a platinum highway he blasted
The dynamite of disdain

Who knew the Roadmaker?
Who played the note of pain?
The Roadmaker did
Did it all alone!