Greg Brown: Ella Mae

My grandparents on my father's side had a strawberry farm. It's abeautiful thing, a beautiful occupation.... a strawberry farm. Wealways used to try to go down there at just the right time of year."Oh, are the, are the berries ready? Oh. Good!"Ella Mae - the redwings returned todayA little rain fell in the morningThe afternoon was clearAn' that song you loved to hearWas filling up the fence row where the birds all goTo talk over their long journey and sing.Ella Mae - all the gifts you gaveTremble in my life like a startled deerYou gave me my PaWho is in me as you areAnd the southern piney hillsThe clear water and the running rillsThat tumbled through the lives of us all.Six big men and one big strong womanYou and little Granpa David raised up thereThey all had familiesWe all come back to see youYou hugged us all in turnCocked you head and said we'd grownAnd touched us with your handsThat smelled like breadElla Mae - it's a clear warm summer's dayThe young birds are trying out their wingsAh it's something to see them tryTo get up there and flyAnd my own child is bound to do the sameToday she learned three birds' names.Ella Mae - I can see you plain as daySailing out like a ship to your gardenIn your old wide-brim straw hatWith a long handled hoe in your hand.pausing at the gate I see you look south to the pondA long time quiet smile on your face.Ella Mae - when your David went awayAfter cutting brush all day longWell, your life just slowly closedLike a worn out autumn roseYou coul` not find the breadYou could not make your lonesome bedOr really do a thing but rise and go.Ella Mae - the redwings left todayPassing in a long cloud of wingsThey're headed down your wayThey'll be there in a couple of daysThey'll sing that song you lovedAs they fly aboveYour resting place by David in the pines.