THE LAST OF THE LILACS
The big surgery looms on October 2nd
a few weeks away on my day of birth.
My 59th birthday.
A day of death or rebirth.
The last of the lilacs.
The sweetness of fall.
The fear of the climax.
The end of it all.
Driving to work today I see
that almost done is the crepe myrtle tree.
I cry some tears in fear and dread.
Is that the last time I'll see that red?
So I sang as I went on to my day
in a broken voice and many tears:
Oh help me to find a way to pray.
Oh help me to look on past my fears.
And this old spiritual:
I'm just a poor, wayfaring stranger
traveling through this world of woe,
and there's no sickness, toil, or danger,
in that good land to which I go.
I'm going there, to see my mother...
I'm going there, no more to roam.
I'm only going, over Jordan,
only going, going home.
The last of the lilacs.
The sweetness of fall.
9/6/13 birthday of my suicided younger brother.
Youtube has many good versions. This is my favorite,
by Neko Case: http://www.youtube.com/...
Edit: Nobody will see this, but for the record, there's also this exquisite version by Emmy Lou: http://www.youtube.com/...