Down in the Valley

down in the valley where hard luck does call

where I went to watch Icarus fall

where the trees are bent

like dreams as the dreamer gets older

I went without fear of love

took a single eyeful of tears

a handful of ghosts

a heartful of someone said never

down in the valley the valley so low

all you hear is that bitter wind blow

down in the mystery of why should I wake

I could not move between sheets and the shaking

there was no sky

nothing larger than life leaking through the window

and to all who were not there

I spoke using second-hand air

and words that could count the stars

burned in the stars’ cold fire

down in the valley…

down in the forest of skeleton trees

birds are the singing leaves

down in the night of lightning on lake

went two-wheeled throttle full on the take

down in the knowledge of new lost friend

what breaks what we thought would bend

down in the valley where hard luck does fall

where I went to hear Icarus call

in fear for his wings

as they failed

and the valley drew nearer

1989