when he was a kid
everybody told him
he could sing
as well as the singers
who sang the songs
on the radio
some said he sang
even better than them
so when he
got out of high school
he took the shot
at being a rock star
and he knew
he’s make it big
he sang for
various bands
for thirty odd years
until he had to face
the heart-sinking truth
that he was never
going to make it
his rock star dream
had eluded him
tired of singing in
going nowhere gigs
he resigned himself
to driving a taxi
for a living
and getting drunk
and doing drugs
nearly every night
until he and his
dreams died
on the streets
of an uncaring city
after he became
drug-addicted
and homeless
bob boyd
