A Traveling Man

I am a traveling man, a traveling man. I never stay too long.I take a job and leave it.But when I stop, I hunker downAnd search out long-forgotten friends,Kindred, broken, torn-up, soulsThe grown-ups leave behindAnd they hang on by the tasselsTo crumbs left for the dogs.And I take down their storiesTo tell the world about the onesThat chose the most unwanted rolesSo that others could be the winners.For someone has to lose in life.Someone has to be the one That falls behind.It’s an important part,And there is much to learnFrom being broken and despised.But it is easy to forget.And so I take notes.I write it downAnd then hold it up before the world In all its gruesome beauty.A traveling man, a traveling man,And I never stay too long.I take a job. I write it down.I tell the story. I leave the town.And all because I’m a traveling man,A traveling man, a traveling man.