Jim Feeney was born in Dublin and has lived in Vancouver since 1979. He has published previously in Rattle, Cyphers, The sHop, In-Flight Literary Magazine, Oddball Magazine, the Galway Review, Anti Heroin Chic, The Basil O’Flaherty, Rat’s Ass Review and others.
He also writes lyrics for The Mitchell Feeney Project, their song “Willie’s Oasis was featured on RTE’s Country Time with Brian Lally in January 2023.
He blogs at https://stopdraggingthepanda.com.

Savannah (take 2)

1
At night, the rotund tourists
roam the street below
drinking light beer from plastic cups
and watching the river flow.

And Chuck, he’s in a restaurant
playing his guitar
for the plaid shorts and polo shirts
and salesmen at the bar.

Well, life is neither good nor bad
no, it’s somewhere in between
Chuck thinks that one day
he should leave this river scene.

Time’s a slowly burning fuse
time’s a disappearing muse
in time you heal very wound
time’s a slowly burning fuse.

2
Karla’s in the house again
trying to catch his eye
her hair is blond and crinkled
makes Chuck think of frozen fries

and when he hits another chorus
she stands upon her chair
chugs back her mojito
and punches the empty air

and he know that in this deck of cards
we all can’t be the ace
and if you’re going to take a fall
then try and fall with grace.

Time’s a slowly burning fuse
time’s a disappearing muse
in time you heal very wound
time’s a slowly burning fuse.

3
Jane, the late shift waitress
her husband’s out of town
Chuck thinks that later
he might ask her around

and he’ll forget about alimony
and the rent that he owes
he’ll forget just about every thing
if Jane comes around.

And life is neither good nor bad
no, it’s somewhere in between
and Chuck thinks that one day
he should leave this river scene.

Vulture on the Outfall

There’s a sign out on the highway
Jesus, Lord over us all
well, no one hear can tell me
that submission was hard won

and when that bus leaves at midnight
we’ll still be hanging ‘round
our feet stuck to the pavement
of this going nowhere town

Oxycontin, Oxycontin
hillbilly heroin
Well, the time
to start quittin
is right before
you begin

there’s a vulture on the outfall
of the abandoned factory
he’s waiting for something that isn’t coming
he’s a lot like you and me

and when the eagle flies at midnight
we’ll still be on the ground
our feet stuck to the pavement
of this pissant little town

Oxycontin, Oxycontin
hillbilly heroin
sometimes the thing
that brings you comfort
is the thing
that does you in.

I’ve got a doctor in Tallahassee
a doctor in Jacksonville
I’m going down there tomorrow
to get those prescriptions, get them filled

and we’re going to make some changes
but it won’t be any time too soon
‘cos there’s a black dog in the backyard
and he’s howling at the moon

Oxycontin, Oxycontin
hillbilly heroin
Well, the time
to start quittin
is right before
you begin