The New Highway Song
A bit windy, but then the sun was warm; And since he seemed to sleep too much (No one had come to provide stimulation), We dressed my father-in-law, too out of touch To lend us much cooperation In jacket and cap, restrained in his wheelchair, Feeling that there could be no harm In giving him some air.
I wheeled him slowly back and forth along The parking lot outside the home, my wife Warming his hands in hers, saying how nice It felt in the sun, and lo! he came to life, Smiling, and in the softest voice Noting that a new highway brought great joy And that his mother'd sung him a song About it as a boy.
I pointed to the asphalt of the lot, While my wife, nodding, encouraged him to sing.
He sang how highways brought men work, and how Men set forth on them. It was a beautiful thing: His mother's song he sang, and now His daughter hummed along with him, until Tears made her cease, or he forgot, Both radiantly still.
David Galler
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