It Was the Year

It was the year of the dark yellow moon When the cold winds came And the oceans turned green Before running out from shore It was the dawdling year A year sadness fell from our eyes Like an eruption of hammering storms The type we kept in the gardens Just around the block By the Stop and Shop It was the year the dog died The year we placed him on a board And all the children wore black Carrying him home Like a soldier returning from war It was the year you packed my lunch Sending me off to work Wearing your “I’ve got a secret” smile And that new dress you bought on Monday That flowed about you like a cloud It was the year I came home Only to find you had gone Leaving nothing but the rains And a note that said It was almost a very good year