But When the Wind Blows to California*

                                      BUT WHEN THE WINDS BLOWS TO CALIFORNIA

I am quickly aware

of every breeze

tho’ only strong enough to brush

a tendril of hair.

Turning to sense the direction

I wait.

For the cold north wind

won’t do.

Nor the hot wind of the south.

Certainly not

the uncaring wind to the east.

But, oh, when the winds blow

to California,

I stop and whisper

the words that could have kept you here

and pray they’ll find their way

to you.

MFM

Nov 22, 1975

(Originally titled “California Winds”)