Katie ©1996 Richard March Grew up where the fog is thick and pretty, sweet smell of ocean spray Just a half hour from the city, could’ve been another state Step daddy was a lone truck driver, many times at home, but not enough She learned to walk from her sister, learned her talkin’ from her daddy’s truck Everybody said she’d be a beauty, curious and strong Sister took a Greyhound to the City, Katie tagged along Bus station was a big top circus, midgets, clowns, acrobats ‘n’ all Wasn’t long ‘fore she found her own bus, sixteen years and on her own Everybody there was wearing flowers, children filled the streets Music playin’ long after hours, marchin’ to the beat That winter Tet became offensive, Bobby died before he had begun Summer came and they buried Moses, Katie carried her first son She left the Golden Gate, southbound on interstate, she liked the desert sage, sweet Santa Fe Moved every couple years, then someone else appeared, Momma times two, she’s still pushing the pace Gettin’ tired of ten years of travelin’, lookin’ for peaceful ground Katie took a trip up to Ashland, thought she’d settle down Boys liked it when the wind blew through ‘em, now their long hair lay upon their face Small town figured different, cut your hair and take your place Katie was livin’ fast, never an empty glass, fact it stayed full twenty years or so Kids kneeled down at night, prayin’ she’d be alright, keep her from crashin’ or losin’ control Then on a rainy day, she felt familiar pains, Merlin was kickin’ and it was time to change She took a solemn vow, “I’ll walk the worthy route." Said bye to sadder times and turned the page.