Houses

You have many houses, one for every season Mountains in your windows, violets in your hands Through your English meadows your blue-eyed horses wander You're in Colorado for the Spring When the Winter finds you, you fly to where it's summer Rooms that face the ocean, moonlight on your bed Mermaids swift as dolphins paint the air with diamonds You are like a seagull as you said Why do you fly bright feathered sometimes in my dreams? The shadows of your wings fall over my face I can feel no air, I can find no peace Brides in black ribbons, witches in white Fly in through windows, fly out through the night Why do I think I'm dying sometimes in my dreams I see myself a child running through the trees Searching for myself, looking for my life Looking everywhere crawling on my knees I cannot see the leaves, I cannot see the light Then I see you walking just beyond the forest Walking very quickly, walking by yourself Your shoes are silver, your coat is made of velvet Your eyes are shining, your voice is sweet and clear "Come on" you say "come with me, I'm going to the castle" All the bells are ringing, the weddings have begun But I can only stand here-I cannot move to follow I'm burning in the shadows and freezing in the sun There are people with you living in your houses People from your childhood who remember how you were You were always flying, nightingale of sorry Singing bird with rainbows on your wings --- Houses - Judy Collins