Valleys Beyond The Darkness

She holds her son’s world in her hug,
tries to not let the crushing truth
destroy her faith and hope.

Was just yesterday they still dreamed,
if only the crop hadn’t died
and the bank became an undertaker,
how it brought tears to her eyes
to see her dad, a veteran of the Great War,
walk out of the house wearing his uniform and medals
as if to say he won’t let these downturns slay his soul.

Now it was beans for breakfast
canvas made into a tent,
doing her best to forget
all their treasures they couldn’t keep.

California lies as the promise land
while the hot breeze combs her skin,
he’ll be back soon from exchanging their few possessions for gas,
at least between tank and cans enough to get them half way there.

In the darkness she might be forced to exist in a new harsh valley,
but her spirit still refuses to leave paradise of her mind.