A woman sings “God Bless The Child”
— one guitar, soft perfect voice arranged
differently than you might expect it
from hearing Billie Holiday, from hearing
Blood Sweat and Tears —
and it is good, is what we needed. Somewhere
out there is another person who needed it
this way and the earth spins toward them
as well as toward you, all in the same direction,
all at the same melancholy speed.

“Homeward,” sings another person,
a man this time, rhythmic percussion
behind the voice, almost spoken —
it is a different song indeed but tells
the same story of longing for respite
and peace at the road’s close — and
it is good too, is what we needed. Somewhere
out there is another person who needed it
this startling way and wonder at how
this earth carries them too toward you,
toward you at the same melancholy pace.

And you — what song did you hear
beyond their songs transmitted thus?
Nothing at all, perhaps, once they were done.
Was it good? Did you need it and get it?
Or did nothing come your way except
these two songs — second hand perhaps
but both good and solid as the earth itself,
meeting you in melancholy?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
onward,
T