The clouds are crying,

Cold, clear tears from the heavens.

Giving life to all

Wood and strings married

Long years of mountain music

The banjo echoes

Blood red maple leaf

Floats down the gentle river

Not knowing he's dead

The door closes hard

All that's left are cold shadows

She left him today

Ivy crawls slowly

Up the brick chimney and spouts

Hiding the faded

In a new black dress

She slides across the oak bar

Two shots of whiskey

So cold your breath floats

Like smoke from a big cigar

Blending with the stars

A gaggle of geese

Honk and cry from up above

Choose sun over ice

Smell the musty wind

that coaxes the leaves off trees

The sun goes to bed