the woman is my medicine

(dedicated to Sheila)

I don't know why:
it doesn't matter.
But it's no lie
or pretense clever

I love the girl,
and need her here...
it calms my mind
and soothes my fear

It's not the things she has to say
that make my world
seem not so gray

Neither is it sexual love
that helps my pain
to go away

She doesn't even have to smile
to make it all
seem more worthwhile

The reason, really,
I do not know
but when she's here...
the world glows

And bright it stays
even when she goes,
though trouble comes
and the cold wind blows

But if too long she stays away:
my soul grows sad,
this town goes gray

The reasons why
heaven knows,
but like summertime
she comes and goes