Poem 5 - A Calico Apron

A CALICO APRON (For John Sebastian)

A calico apron
Ain't got no strings
My lady never tried
To clip my wings

Any good woman
Can cook and sew
But my sweet lady
Knows how to let go

There's a wicker basket
Full of yarn
In an old white house
With a big red barn

Mama's teapot
China blue
The old brown clock
That stopped at two

My ladies shawl draped
Over her chair
Lavender scent
Hangin' on the air

The old piano's
Out of tune
But my lady knows
That I'm comin' home soon

Lemon-eyed cat
Sleepin' in the sun
Days go by
One by one

Can't make no money
Singin' my songs
One night gigs
Don't last too long

Nightclubs, barrooms
Bring me down
Can't keep driftin'
From town to town

Sold my watch
My golden chain
So I could be
In her arms again

Caught a ride
That passed my way
I'm goin' home
This time I'll stay

Lemon-eyed cat
Sleepin' in the sun
Days go by
Oh, one by one

My lady's shawl
Draped over her chair
Lavender scent
Hangin' on the air