Monday, January 24, 2011

Sing To Me

For Mom by R.A.N.

Sing To Me

Sing to me she whispered
And I sang her life to her

Hank’s voice through crackling transistors

If you listen to a story I’ll tell you
Of a girl who once lived in this land
of girl who once was my sweetheart
she was known as the Blue Velvet Band

she strummed him through her years
carefully wrote his words down in cursive emotion
she laid her tired gaze upon me, resting her tired body
as I went through the verses and climbed the stairs of her life

up to Catherine’s cottage

Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea-bound coast,
Let your mountains dark and dreary be.
For when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed,
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?

and Marty’s cabin

I’ve got a hundred and sixty acres full of sunshine
Got a hundred and sixty million stars above
Got an old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss
On the hundred and sixty acres that I love

to Gordon’s place

If you could read my mind love
what a tale my thoughts would tell
just like an old-time movie
‘bout a ghost from a wishin’ well

through the night her batons twirled her dreams
once again marching in front of the Seattle Marching Band in the PNE parade of ‘49
tiny boots and feet and dreams of glorious things to come
satin uniform shone and tassels twisted

Then babies cried and
hay was baled, horses fed and ridden to pounding hooves and heart
cows milked, barns mucked
milk separated, butter made, weeds pulled
children sprouted and tumbled on their ways

Jim’s gentle anthem, an invitation

Have I told you lately that I love you
Could I tell you once again somehow
Have I told you with all my heart and soul how I adore you
Well darling, I’m telling you now

her eyes closed and my voice quieted as I saw the veil sweep aside
and smiling faces and hands outstretched
and other voices
picked up the song






















R-A N                                      Jan 24 2011

3 comments:

  1. Yes, that's my Mom.
    Time has passed so quickly.
    Travelled a long way with many people..it has been an honour.
    What a ride.
    Peace man. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful, mom. I remember that book with the songs in it. Love you!

    ReplyDelete