beyond the ridge on the left, you asked me what i want

between the trees and the chirping by the shading pond

“i spent and hour with you, should i want anything else”

she rose and winked like the owner of a candy store

we were sixteen maybe less, maybe a little more

i walked home smiling, i finally had a story to tell

and though an autumn-time lullaby sang our new-born love to sleep

my brother wrote me, he saw her there
in the woods one Christmas eve, asleep

i met my wife at a party when i drank too much

my son is married and tells me we don’t talk enough

call it predictable, yesterday my dream was of you:

beyond the ridge to the west, the sun had left the sky

between the trees and pond you put your hand in mine,

said “time has bridled us both but I remember you, too”

and though an autumn-time lullaby sang our new-born love to sleep

i dreamt i traveled and found you there
in the woods one Christmas eve, with me

- sit down - stand up -