Part I - Upon A Winter's Dream



There was the bird the milk boy saw
dawn up the long road down,
near the old mill beside the draw
drift away on a thermal crown.

There were reports of lifeless eyes
adrift on Barrow Creek,
where speckled bodies floating by
spoke death or did not speak.

What sought in early angler's dream
sweet brews of morning ale,
saw naught but log strewn tule steam
where fallen trees grew pale.

And, where some bo's had tied red cloth
to flag a welcome meal,
now hung black rags to warn them off
beside an empty creel.

Head out along E. Valley Rd.
if you're doin' the commute,
The tile plant's not far beyond
by north-end's scenic route.

But, since the first November rains,
though the road's in good repair,
for reasons they cannot explain
they'll take the long way there.

To some among the valley folk
portentous signs abound,
still none with ready rumor spoke
of chilling solstice sounds.

Nor by the light of Evenset,
by ornament and candle,
do they hear the roar of cataract
beneath the winter's mantle.











    Back     Next Part
    Table of Contents     Main Lobby
        TO EMMA GOOD - THE MOVIE
The Ballad of Emma Good ©1999 Red Slider, all rights reserved.