Winter wind makes it's way down this Virginia mountainside
creating the hum of bending trees
dogs bark at moving deer
light slowly leaves
as it nears closing time at this country store
wood burning stoves are stoked
and the small mountain town of Pine Grove
settles in for a cold night
One last visitor arrives
his quiet stride moves with the wind
I'm greeted with that childish grin
that never leaves the Birdman
he is James Dean cool
John Wayne tough
and Jimmy Stewart kind
his visits are like a good bottle of wine
always ending too soon
He winks and says; 'Goodnight brother'
then walks into the darkness
the Birdman left us this night
riding the wind to the kingdom he knew awaited him
The Birdman (Todd Torrey) died at age 53
he was a regular customer in my little country store
I sent this piece to 2 local papers and they each published it
one morning just after opening
his widow walked in my store and set about a dozen letters
she'd received from friends regarding the piece on the counter
they were all very positive and she said I had captured his spirit
if I never have a book published or have my work read beyond the friends
that stop by this site, those few words from her were all the reward I'll ever need