For Leigh

You were just a kid when we met

I wore my hair high and wide.

And you were still a blonde –

And not yet a bride.

Our love of music sealed the deal

You just had to sing out loud.

I knew what I liked to play

And you made me proud.

The blues you found in your soul

Would flow out from your heart

And mine would quicken its pace

Whenever you would start.

You sang on table tops

You sang on a makeshift stage

The crowds would gather for you

Your name became the rage.

Through the times we lived,

We suffered great loss.

You through division

And mine with a cross.

But the progeny you had

Meant love would survive

The red-headed mama

In her joy was alive.

You practiced your art

And drew crowds late at night

You slept through the day

Dosed, dazed – a sight.

But there was glassy truth

In your voice of purple hue

You reigned o'er the land

And then they crowned you.

When the waters rose high

You were chased far away

Another blue called out

And there you would stay.

So the Queen was in exile

And her sullen people mad

The times were brown, dead

Interminably sad.

When the dipsy pain raged on

You fought it with pride

You gave us the truth

You never had lied.

When out in the hemlock

You floated into mist

Into the aether of the heavens

With love you were kissed.

I miss you, my darling

Your haughty hands, your smile.

We are destined to reunite.

Just wait. Wait a while.

©2019 Alan Smason

(Photo ©2018 Winston-Salem Journal)