When the sun is almost out of view

I see the old man climbing to his roof

Leans against the sky into the painted distance

Tries to hear it every night

He wants to make it right



Calling out of somewhere

Voices in the shadows

Calling out of someplace

Moving one by one



Says he had sons, all about my age

Can't remember more the pictures fade

Blink and years go by the days go on forever

Shines the medals every day

He doesn't miss a day



Under indigo and charcoal skies

He listens when the traffic rattle dies

On the jetstream signals at the edge of silence

More than half a world away

Is not so far away