before the war
when the elms were still here
on shady streets and quiet nights
before chivalry disappeared
people sat on their porches
and greeted passers-by
before the bomb came
and made us afraid of even the sky

the bluebird flew away
he used to come to the feeder every day
we’ll miss his song outside our window
since the bluebird flew away

the golden age of the automobile
when gasoline was cheap
there was freedom behind the wheel
worn pedals beneath your feet
but fate came and things changed
and the table got an empty seat
gasoline got scarce
and a life became too cheap

the bluebird flew away
he used to come to the feeder every day
we’ll miss his song outside our window
since the bluebird flew away

the trees of our youth
went away
I miss the way
the chestnuts swayed
the shade of the elms
and the hemlocks scent
the towering tulips
guarding our steps
the birds that sang and filled the silence
I’ll never forget their songs

the bluebird flew away
he used to come to the feeder every day
we’ll miss his song outside our window
since the bluebird flew away

Posted Friday, August 28th 2020