Readers have responded to several songs in The Dry
Tortugas, one a satiric song with political overtones, the
other a love song. Both are by an enigmatic character known in the
book only as Roscoe. The unnamed love song was written more than a
decade ago about an unforgettable encounter with an unforgettable
person, Debbie. The U.S. Male seems to herald riots of
January 6 and the recent shootings although it was written several
years ago.
Unnamed love song, from chapter The Last Song
I remember how our fingers touched when we
were first alone
I remember how our glances met across a
crowded room
A message on the cell phone, encrypted words
of love
I cannot live with memories. I need you with
me now.
You’ve known the pain of emptiness, of
failures of the past.
You’ve sifted through the ashes of flames
that did not last.
And still you love with schoolgirl charm
that time cannot erase
The colors of a summer love will always
light your face.
Cold is in the sunset and colors are on the
lawn
The sky is filled with voices and the nights
are getting long.
I used to dream of sailing boats and wind to
drive them on
To foreign shores with anchors set in
tropical lagoons.
And now I wish for just one day to be alone
with you.
We climbed a mountain over trails that led
to starry skies.
We walked the ridges of the earth above
where eagles fly.
You left me with a promise. I leave you with
a song
If I could pick a place for thrills, I’d
simply take you home.
The U.S. Male, from early chapter Drunks Along the Mohawk
If I had a cigarette, I’d smoke it till it’s
gone.
If I had pack of them, I’d smoke ‘em all day
long.
I live in America. I do what I want to do.
I don’t really give a damn what is does to
me or you.
If I had me a woman, I’d do her all day
long.
There’s no stops on my organ. I’d play an
endless song.
The privileged in America give pleasure,
love, and hope.
When they see a girl in need, they lend a
hand and grope.
It’s great to live in American, you can do
just what you please.
Unless you play for the NFL and want to take
a knee.
We’re on a sacred mission to make America
great again.
And we’ve got the team to do it, with a herd
of gray white men.
If I had an assault gun, I’d know just what
it’s for.
I’d rent me a hotel room on the 32nd floor.
I’d look down at the crowd below, I don’t
know a single one.
I just pull the trigger and watch them fall
and run.
I’m glad that I’m an American ‘cause I know
that I am free.
The KKK and the NRA are friends to you and
me.
So heed the call. Let’s build the wall.
Let’s keep the beaners out.
Guns and God and liberty are what we’re all
about.
