Justin Rutledge

Jack of Diamonds

Justin Rutledge


Yellow bird, yellow moon
You’ve arrived while the spring is out of tune
River run, river slow
From the Grand Coulee Dam to Jericho
To the island where the wounded echoes go

Over that horizon, past the streets of Evangeline
There’s a boy among the redwood and the pine
Jack of Diamonds you’re no friend of mine

Seventeen, seven sins
Can we just hide here before the war begins
River run, river rage
From the beak of a yellow bird beside a cage
To a field of broken drums upon a stage

Over that horizon, past the streets of Evangeline
Past the bedrooms where the wounded girls recline
Jack of Diamonds you’re no friend of mine

Where do you go dear? Who do you know dear?
Who do you rage for tonight?
Who do you lie beside? Who do you sigh beside?
Who do you look to for a sign?

I’m a boy among the redwood and the pine
I hear the sirens out on the county line
Jack of Diamonds you’re no friend of mine