Mountain Child
Nora Jane Struthers
Her hair was tangled, her clothes were torn
A cloud lift to protect Mama's last hope
Brothers and sisters are home
Praying she brings them back some bread
Like a lawman hunting down a thief
She was looking for a Daddy
Her desperate eyes searched each man's face
But Lord, they came up empty
You could tell from the red clay on her shoes
She was from down in the holler
A mountain child born to lose
Down in that holler
A barman signaled, slowly she crossed the room
Bent down and whispered low
Without one word, she turned to ?? stares
Just like I did so many years ago