St. Louis Elegy

I look at the sky

I see an airplane as it flies

is this the way they said jesus came?

gone through st louis

gone straightaway

and i hear the winter will cut you quick

if tears were liquor i’d have drunk myself sick

woman are you home?

a house of cards, a frame of bones

here i am earthly bound

said hallelujah i’m going down

and the river jordan is deep and wide

I think i see forever across on the other side

I look at the sky

I see a nightbird as it flies

over the old bent cherry trees

shivering in a row

down here the winter will cut you quick

these tears are liquor and I’ve drunk myself sick

and the dead of winter will cut you quick

these tears are liquor and i’ve drunk myself sick