Patti Smith

Blue Poles

Patti Smith


Mother as I write the sun dissolves 
Blood life streaming cross my hand 
And these words, these words 
Hope dashed immortal hope 
Hope streaking the canvas sky 
Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write 
Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write 

We joined the long caravan 
Hungry dreaming going west 
Just for work just to get a job 
And we never got lucky 
We just forged on 
And the dust the endless dust 
Like a plague it covered everything 
Hal fell with the fever 
And mother I did what I could 
Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write 
Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write 

We prayed we prayed for rain 
I never wanted to see the sun again 

All my dresses you made by hand 
We left behind on the road 
Hal died in my arms 
We buried him by the river 
Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write 
Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write