th' dust never really settled

th’ dust never really settled th’ dust never really settled on those backroads of virginia yesterday past and though times were rough and winter brought only snow and cold there was still a warmth in th’ house heated only by kerosene lamps and patchwork quilts swirlin’ dust can’t be found beneath th’ packed snow and th’ dust never really settled chocolate mud first formed crators then valleys an’ th’ pourin’ rain brought only wet feet, soaked heads, runnin’ noses an’ wishes that a doctor cared for those who needed but couldn’t return the favor with anything more than ‘thank you’ country doctors never found their way to th’ country thanksgiving cornbread ushered toyless christmas th’ new year replaced th’ old rain melted th’ snow and thunder yelled, seemingly only at me but th’ dust never really settled though thick colorful quilts were removed and with them th’ memories of numb fingers pokin’ in bottomless pockets of kneeless trousers with grumblin’ bellies children went off to bed but th’ dust never really settled th’ difference between a tear and a laugh at bedtime came more from th’ stomach than from th’ heart and th’ coolness of th’ night was still but for th’swirling dust ’cause th’ dust never really settled on those backroads of virginia yesterday past © tolbert