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FOLLOW THE RAINBOW.

He never came around much, and never stayed too long,
Carried a vial of whiskey in a paper sack, sang a song.
But this day was special, my heart was so alive.
I carried a sack too with candy and today I"m five.

He had said "Come on son, let's go to town, get a treat."
Joy filled my little being, I felt all of ten feet.
Wrapped me a sucker in my sack, cherry, my favorite kind.

As he slugged away on his sack, I slurped away on mine.

My little legs were nearly running three steps to his one.
But the sun was shining, we were together, father and son.
He spoke little that I could understand, about dreams lost,
Said I should follow the rainbow, forget the cost.

He said,"Life is short,pleasures are few, so have a good time."
We followed the path through the woods, his hand in mine.
We walked beside the railroad track, till the sun dipped low.
How far? Five or six miles, couldn't tell, didn't know.

My short legs were aching but I never complained.
For in the distance, I could hear an approaching train.
He sat me on a rock and said,"Let's rest a spell."
He was getting tired too, from his walk, I could tell.

As the clamor of the train grew louder, I became excited.
"I'll see the train up real close!" I cried,delighted.
It grew louder and louder till it was all I could hear.
I laughed out loud, looked at pop and on his face was a tear.

He jumped up, ran to the passing train, lunged into the open door.
I screamed and cried, Don't go!" but, I never saw him anymore.
His crumpled bag lay on the ground, a memory at my feet.
He had said,"let's go to town, get a treat."

I threw my bag on the ground, all the sweets spilled out.
At five it was only candy, but it was, my life, no doubt.
Belief, trust, hope, faith, love, burst forth onto the ground.
I sat there on my rock until the sun went down.

With a tear stained face, I turned to follow the railroad track,
Knowing all the while, there was a rainbow somewhere behind my back.
I followed the railroad track and found my way home.
As silently I wished to God that I could become, a rainbow.

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