Rough like leather
Boots that rub
Dirty pans
You have to scrub
Rough like sand
Sahara hot
Rough you want
Its rough she’s got
Scrape her nails
Right down your back
Like a rusty
Railroad track
Twist your skin
And bite your ear
Push you to the
Edge of fear
Rough like junk
Out in the yard
Rough like sleep
From which you’re jarred
Rough like stubble
On your face
Scraped across
A smoother place
Tie you down with
Hemp-cord rope
Knots that leave you
Little hope
Stranded there
For days on end
Watch her leaving
With some friend
Rough is sleep
That never starts
Rough is dreams
Of broken hearts
Rough is what
You thought was love
Rough the cry
Of cooing dove
