“The Wandering Wind”
by Nate Marshall

I left town on a wandering wind
and the trees they were crimson, gold, and indigo.
It carried me west, with one gusty breath
and I landed in old Chicago.

I found some beds for to rest my head,
kinder people I’ve never known.
Until it hit me plain, on the steps in the rain,
Among millions I was all alone.

Then I met you, you were lonely too,
a year out of school, no idea what to do.
And my narrow eyes foresaw no end in store,
then you whispered to me this warning:

“Our time is small, that wind blows again.
Separation’s found our cloth and sewn a seam-
for I’m bound away for two years and a day
to lands you’ve only seen in frames and dreams.”

I guess it’s fair thee well my fleeting friend.
So soon, but better we part than never been.
We’ll share this song when the hours grow long,
backs to the wandering wind; 
our backs to the wandering wind.