Back To School

Wintertime comes early to the north part of this state

I walk along the river where we used to come and skate

The trees're now all gone and by the river there's a sign

Trespassin' is a twenty dollar fine

Lookin' up the road toward the schoolhouse on the hill

That thing about an empty building causes me to chill

My memory goes back to when the teacher rang the bell

The day she sent you home for saying hell

Walkin' past the building so important in my past

The road is full of ol' discarded bottles and some trash

I step behind the building as I shelter from the cold

I see our names in letters big and bold

My fingers trace the letters of a work of art alone

And I recall the day that you carved it in a stone

Somehow I can see you now with books and coat in hand

You always waved as down the hill you ran

Cokes were just a nickel then and many were the times

The two of us would sip them as if they were village wine

And then on Graduation Day we bought the little ring

And said that carats didn't mean a thing

Now I retrace my footsteps to the cab that waits for me

Looking back to see our names you carved upon a tree

The driver says I look familiar asks me what's my name

I say hurry I have to catch a plane