Run the Rain

Sitting on the front porch,

Staring out at the sky.

Held my momma’s hand so tightly,

Watched the rain fall as she cried.

.

Somewhere in the distance,

There raged a killing war.

When my brother came home,

He wasn’t Bobby anymore.

.

You know you’ll never run the rain.

You know you’ll never run the rain.

.

As I sat, I remembered,

Long ago, sometime June.

We were out in the tall pine,

Storm that came, came too soon.

.

How we laughed as we ran home,

Dogging drops, nimble quick.

Knowing mom, she’d be angry,

Sitting home, worried sick.

.

You know you’ll never run the rain

You know you’ll never run the rain

.

Waiting there, fearful frightened,

Mamma’s belt, was next in line.

Bobby winked as he passed me,

Strength he gave me, wasn’t mine.

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Stayed up late, distant thunder,

Talked of things like brothers do.

When our Bobby left us,

He left it all, returned too few.

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You know you’ll never run the rain.

You know you’ll never run the rain.

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Playing here with this guitar,

I keep Bobby’s face alive.

I keep my hurt at a distance,

Without pain, no one cries.

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All alone, nights tick endless,

Beat the heart, loose the soul.

We all bleed shattered memories,

We all bleed, when no one’s whole.

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You know you’ll never run the rain

You know you’ll never run the rain

You know you’ll never run the rain

You can never … outrun the rain

.

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“Run the Rain” © John Anthony.  All Rights Reserved.