In the Sweetness of Money
by Michael Doyle

The band leader says, "One, two.."
And the band knows what to do
Especially slick with his brand new shoes
Filled as he is with his particular views

Stepping it up to make it better
In the harmony of patent leather
It's there where it is found
All in the name of Ma Rainey's sound

Whispered tales never quite on the level
About selling souls to the Devil
Talking tough about bad luck as simple
Only reverent to God when inside His Temple

Seems that you can't tell a fool nothing
Until he's ready for learning that something
That moves the people from the heart
What moves the feet will rule the chart

Take a stomp turned into a dance
Studying up on the ways of false romance
Strung up, turned to and set on fire
Such are the wicked ways of desire

A crooked smile hides its trace
Disguised as it is across a man's face
Making history from this stew
Leftovers are easy enough to misconstrue

Past misdeeds hold their leverage
That make for the headlines of heritage
Challenged to get it infinitely tight
All for the sake of nailing it right

It comes down to that solid choice
Paying the piper's price for the selling voice
I suppose that it seems a bit funny
But all it's about is the in the sweetness of money

(c) January 10, 2021  Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved