Things to do

Daddy called up the stairs, at least a half a dozen times, Billy never heard a word

Air pods, in his own world, jamming playing Switch online until his body was stirred

A push on his shoulder made him jump pulled out a pod and caught “What’s wrong with you?”

“You can go join your buddies later on after you’re done with your chores, you got things to do”

First, he had to take out recyclables and trash, unload the dishwasher and don’t forget to feed the cat

Because it was Saturday, sweep the steps and the sidewalk, be sure and shake out the welcome mat

Up at five to go deliver papers every morning, cause if you want to go with the guys, you need money to

Munchies at the mall, new kicks and get a jersey, costs cash so he works early see he’s got things to do

All of his friends have debit cards loaded every month by loaded parents who don’t have the time

“Just give the kids money let them enjoy their childhood, buy what they want, what’s the crime?”

But there’s dealers on the corner selling promises of paradise, “One’s for your lady, one’s for you”

“Just pop them on the way to the bedroom, then get ready cause you will have things to do”

Billy’s buddy said he wouldn’t regret it, “You’ll be high as a kite getting unbelievable sexual satisfaction”

The paramedics said the autopsy would confirm everything, but they think it was a negative reaction

Billy saw paradise but his girl went into anaphylactic shock, he was trippin hard, she was turning blue

He just stared out the back side window of the police car as it drove away, yeah, he’s got things to do

You can bet your bottom dollar everybody knows a Billy, or his buddy or his girl who didn’t survive

You have heard too many stories of pain, wasn’t supposed to go that way, tell me are they dead or alive

Someone is living, higher than those kids ever imagined they could get, off the money taken from you

Wake up and turn on to life! Let’s work to clean up the mess for our kids, we’ve all got things to do

Tim Windisch

02/07/2022