Winter's Coming

Through the warmth and soft spring rustle.

Streets humming with the summer bustle.

Across the high post bridge with low lying fog;

Whistling over a bowl of cereal.

The table our drums for the morning wake up call.

Just a Sno-Cone on the curb at the edge of summer.

Thoughts that won't leave me

even if it took me twenty years to recall.

Did the silence drop or did your Walkman stop?

Did your childhood end when the chill crept in

on that last beautiful evening?

Floating down the river, freezing time

'cause winter's coming.

Blank tape in my stereo set

for that one song they never played.

I waited for you, but the time was never right;

wires crossed, words unwound.

All that heart-in-my-mouth.

All that head filled with doubt.

I pass ghosts and ghouls and witches

on the sidewalk near my neighborhood.

Those who haven't worn a costume in years

rarely take off the mask.

Did the tape come undone?

unravel to the ground.

Lend me a leaf from the pile

rake up those old feelings

Leave me alone for awhile

Leave me with just a smile

in the distance winter's coming,

ashes to ashes

catch me when I fall.