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and the old man, and together they spanned the years. Miss Redley
had died, and Mike Powers was in the County Home now. Other
people, old friends to Dave, little more than just names to Mr. Peters,
had moved away, or died, or were living in quiet retirement somewhere
in town.

Dave stopped by to see Billy Dent. He lived with his daughter
now, and was almost completely blind. They talked of old times, and
Dave wished him well and left. He left the hotel, and he left the town,
and he came back to our town. He never spoke of "goin' home" again.

II. The Song

Surrounded by darkness
He sits on the bare stone pavement
His body bent over his guitar
While his fingers strum soulful music.
The music lifts itself from him
And travels through the dullness,
The solemn noise of night
Until it becomes part of the din,
BaCkground of the passing evening.
Perhaps
It reaches the ears of a stranger
Who pauses in his journey
Through unfamiliar streets
To comtemplate the plaintive cry.

CONNIE SHANKLE

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