I'd suffer four long years Before I set a letter on the page... I'd sob a hundred times, Waking from repeated dreams of you, The daughter I have lost, Running into my arms, and Our tears mingling Over the wasted years, Only to realize that dreams Are only dreams To remind me of my longing, Not yours.
If I were to write you a poem, I'd tell you that sorrow cuts me still, Even though my heart is turning stone, That parts of me are fading out to gray... That family isn't whole while one of us is still Away.
If I were to write you a poem, I'd say the old stool you loved Stands waiting, Your handwriting still claiming it As yours, Though you have left it here These years.
But how shall I write a poem When the leaves of spring are glittering, And when meadowlarks are singing, And work calls me out to take the agony away?
Perhaps in fall, When leaves begin their grim descents, And winds drive chilling clouds of gray, As mournful sounds of geese in southern vees Cast gloom upon the dwindling days, Perhaps in fall I'll take my pen, And try to write a poem for you Again.