run, river, run

we the dead assembled

in aspect and likeness

would speak our words
run, river, run

i was a mother

a mother and

i pressed my babies

into the soil

i never meant to

i never meant to

but here we are

across the jordan

what presence can i have had

flitting through the lives

of hale and healthy ones

you do not know me

you can’t have done

you can’t you can’t

the tailor came around

and said his piece

but we had none of it

we put him right out the door

some people are beyond helping

kindness leads to shiftlessness

that’s what my pappy always said

those fine lads going off to war

a blaze of brass and glory

i was there and i was watching

my heart so full of pride

full of piss and vinegar

they never did come back

those boys

but they did our village proud

they killed lots and lots of krauts

their bodies came back in boxes

with medals on their coats

i remember one day

i saw mister paul and miss lyle

leaning in a corner

they looked so grown up

and the light played on their faces

and i swear i never did see a sight so fine

and he closed the door and looked out across

the hall and his eyes fell on me

and i longed to know

what stood behind those walls

and i never did learn

in all my life

what stood behind those walls

one day she was standing

there right ahead of me

& she leaned in to smooth my hair

& i could feel the breath of her mouth

on my forehead

& i didn’t kiss her on

her pale lips though i wished to

why didn’t i do it

why didn’t i just

kiss her… ? on the lips

& it’s always too late now

too late too late

for kisses

i miss everyone

all the time

i just wanted you

to know that

i just want you to know that

the next time could always be the last time

to hear and to hold

to touch hands

to drink wine together

on this side of the river

that runs forever