A Song for Laura

Somewhere in my memories of you
a balalaika plays a sad refrain
I am so young again
my brother plays the record
we found hidden amongst your things
the Prussian tunes are haunting
me tonight many years past
out of mind, out of sight.

Somewhere you are singing
about me and Bobby Mcgee
your heart in every line
like a Stoned Age Janis
up on the stage making each
word true, lost in time.
I only wish that I could know
what made such sweet sorrow

Somewhere you were a beautiful bride
marrying out there in the African countryside
I remember the strangeness of the church
all stone with age like an old suit worn
your dress so white sparkling in the morn
He, who played the many guitars
He, the awkward Irish groom waiting
for you midst the black cars

Somewhere I hope you have found the cats
your love for your girls, furry and fat
Perhaps I will see you one day
in the Indian Summer or perhaps
in the orange leaved Cherokee Fall
sitting by our stone brook singing
to Elvis for Saint Paul
You were always my dark-eyed princess
my muse and finally my friend
and this is where our time together
draws to a close, this is where the song ends.

For my Sister, Laura Kaye O'Donnell