Crimson flames tied through my ears   Flowing high and mighty traps   Countless fire n' flaming roads   Using ideas as my maps   "We'll meet on edges, soon," said I   Proud 'neath heated brow.   Ah, but I was so much older then,   I'm younger than that now.      Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth   "Rip down all hate," I screamed   Lies that life is black and white   Spoke from my skull. I dreamed   Romantic facts of musketeers   Foundationed deep, somehow.   Ah, but I was so much older then,   I'm younger than that now.      Girl's faces formed the forward path   From phony jealousy   To memorizing politics   Of ancient history   Flung down by corpse evangelists   Unthought of, though, somehow.   Ah, but I was so much older then,   I'm youger than that now.      A self-ordained professor's tongue   Too serious to fool   Spouted out that liberty   Is just equality in school   "Equality," I spoke the word   As if a wedding vow.   Ah, but I was so much older then,   I'm younger than that now.      In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand   At the mongrel dogs who teach   Fearing not I'd become my enemy   In the instant that I preach   My existence led by confusion boats   Mutiny from stern to bow.   Ah, but I was so much older then,   I'm younger than that now.      Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats   Too noble to neglect   Deceived me into thinking   I had something to protect   Good and bad, I define these terms   Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.   Ah, but I was so much older then,   I'm younger than that now.