My Father

                                  My father always promised us that we would live in France.

We'd go boating on the Seine

And I would learn to dance. 

We lived in Ohio then.

He worked in the mines. 

All his dreams, like boats

We knew We'd sail in time. 

My sister's all grew up and went away,

To Denver and Cheyenne. 

Marrying their grown up dreams, the lilacs and the man. 

I stayed behind, the youngest still only danced alone.

Hoping

Hoping

That my father's dreams would someday take me home. 

I live in Paris now, my children dance and dream. 

Hearing the ways of a miner's life,

In words they never say. 

I sail my memories of home, 

Like boats across the Seine.

And watch my father's eyes

Watching the setting sun

Set in my father's eyes again