Winter should be over but it's hanging on;

The train takes the trestle with an icy sound;

The sky above the highway shows a snowy gray;

In the yard a scarlet scrap of paper blows away.

 

For a moment I THOUGHT IT WAS A ROBIN;

For a moment I thought I heard its cry;

Looking up I saw the geese returning;

But it was just a smoky ripple in the city sky.

 

Spring will keep her promises if I can last that long;

My ears won't deceive me with a robin's song;

But in the grip of winter nothing sounds the same;

I lie awake as the brakes are screeching at the train;

 

For a moment I THOUGHT IT WAS A ROBIN;

For a moment I thought I heard its cry;

Looking up I saw the geese returning;

But it was just a smoky ripple in the city sky.

 

 

Promises are bought and sold and I paid you well;

I would have bought most anything you had to sell;

If you appeared you'd find me here remembering;

Your arms full of crocuses, your heart full of spring.

 

For a moment I THOUGHT IT WAS A ROBIN;

For a moment I thought I heard its cry;

Looking up I saw the geese returning;

But it was just a smoky ripple in the city sky.