God Gave a Stone
She belongs back in western Kentucky
Or maybe somewhere in Tennessee
Far from home there’s a way to her body
Though she’s wind-blown and slightly
Long ago there were plums on the table
Where momma smoked in the afternoon
The gelding lay half-asleep in the stable
And she would wake when she heard you
Papa was gone but he’s still in the mud
And the river runs thick with his innocent blood
And God gave a stone but it rolled down the hill
It’s the shape of His breath, or Her breath if you will
She belongs back in western Kentucky
Or even somewhere in Tennessee
She was born though the womb wasn’t ready
To give its love to the strength in this street
Papa was gone but he’s still in the mud
While the river runs thick with his innocent blood
And God gave a stone but it rolled down the hill
It’s the shape of His breath, or Her breath if you will
Long ago there was warmth from the kitchen
Across the baseboards through every room
She belongs back in western Kentucky
And I will pray maybe she’ll see it soon