The Mansion

The glow that fills the cafe
Where aging movie stars
Drink coffee through late afternoons
Near turned blue with talk of the old boulevard

And even by the time it gets dark
The air’s still warm and sweet blowing into the car
As you wind your way up the dark drives
Past mansion gates with the city’s twinkling never too far

(C) Though old Hollywood is over
To stand out on the balcony we hardly use
See past the pool and the palm trees down the canyon
With rolled out red carpet and lights so bright
Some sort of dream-place to go to at night
And watch the shadows play by the light
Thrown about the courtyard fountain

Thinking of the times when every day was my day
And to hardly notice the weather stripping that’s coming away
And the stray shingles and garden tools strewn about the yard
With a bit of sun hitting the banister I head down the hall

And oh, the parties we used to throw
Open the doors out to the terrace and patio
I still hear music swell and feel lantern light
When I’m home alone watching the awards show