My Friend

I swear I heard a bird
Calling high in the chestnut trees
The sun was so bright
That bird I couldn’t see
No matter where I stood
I couldn’t see beak or wing
Just burning, blinding leaves
Still and silent trees
Were you with me then, my friend?
Are you with me now?
Were you with me then, my friend?
Are you with me now?
When that cement truck
The mixer turning slow
Drove right past me
Dripping in the road
That swollen body
Spinning in circles
I stopped and watched it roll
Roll and groan
Were you with me then, my friend?
Are you with me now?
Were you with me then, my friend?
Are you with me now?
When I swam alone at night
Late summer dusk
The air so warm and still
The water wide and dark
Something brushed against me
I splashed and kicked in fright
Such cold hands upon me
Underwater vines
Were you with me then, my friend?
Are you with me now?
Were you with me then, my friend?
Are you with me now?