main street, looking west

This was main street in Moshiem-town
many moons ago splashing in the swimming hole,
shivering to ask neighbor-girl to barn dance
Saturday night tucking in shirt and up pants
and holding our breath.

This was main street in Moshiem-town
and we ignored the shades looming like reapers
from the cotton fields where all us kids worked
hands grimy with blackest earth
eyes gazing into bluest skies for the hope of a rain cloud-
afternoon surprise.

This was main street in Moshiem-town
where the gin was shut down, moved to Valley Mills
and the filling stations died alongside their old men
who played chickenfoot under the wooden eaves
'til the shadows came for them.

This was main street in Moshiem-town
today our shadows are the only ones 'round
and the ol' school sits overgrown,
ruthless Texas summer sun bleaching walls and desks
Time, a reaper taking all us kids,
tucking us down and stealing our breath.

This is main street in Moshiem-town-
we're the only witnesses to mourn its death.