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Sometimes We Cry

January 14th, 2015 at 7:50 pm

 

SOMETIMES WE CRY

 

On the city’s main street, wind blows things

up and out of the gutter, half litter, half leaves.

It’s winter now, January. Sitting in the coffee shop

I hear “Sometimes We Cry.” Van Morrison’s voice

scrapes the inside of my skin as it always does.

We have a past, he and I, this song and me.

I played it over and over one October morning,

years ago, as I drove toward a funeral.

The windshield wipers put me in a trance,

rain blurred the road,

Morrison broke my heart.

Today, looking out the window, I watch the wind

rearrange the world. I listen to the music without

tears, but the gray sky could drop rain at any minute,

and this saxophone solo is nothing but old sorrow,

a weight around my neck.

~ Cheryl Unruh

1.14.15

Poetry & Haiku

  1. Rita Scribner
    January 14th, 2015 at 19:55 | #1

    That’s beautiful, Cheryl. Morrison’s music is so evocative, your words speak to the melody.

  2. January 14th, 2015 at 20:02 | #2

    THANK YOU— BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES FOR ME ALSO——-

  3. Kelley
    January 14th, 2015 at 20:44 | #3

  4. ginger porter
    January 14th, 2015 at 23:56 | #4

    Heart-rending! Thanks!

  5. ginger porter
    January 15th, 2015 at 00:11 | #5

    </blockquo

    ginger porter :
    <p I like it! Thanks!

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    @ginger porter

  6. erlene halzle
    January 15th, 2015 at 07:20 | #6

    Love it. Thought and memory provoking.

  7. January 17th, 2015 at 12:20 | #7

    Oh, that gave me goosebumps. I *felt* this poem.

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