Alice Springs

Alice Springs was quiet an calm.

A slip of a boy, no thicker than a shadow

Slipped up silently an sat down beside her.

Sue tells him he's safe...

He don't have to fret.

Ain't no one such a fool

That they'd mess with Nod's pet.

Jack tensed for a moment

then let out laugh.

That Nod may be little

But you don't wanta feel her wrath!

The giggles grew quiet,

Jack covered Sue's hand,

"You upset bout somethin?

Has I been bad? "

"Jack, we will always be good friends,

No matter what happens.

My sadness is cause

Somethin I love has gone miss'n."

..................

The pond peepers were peep'n

under a rare blue moon.

Sue's company Jack was keep'n.

Cause he didn't know what else to do.

He knew her thoughts weighed heavy,

And her heart was sore.

So he decided to sit beside her just a few minutes more.

They heard Frank, fore they saw him... Sue's heart began to sink.

His horse, Trigger, pounded ground!

As he pulled up to Alice Springs.

She felt Jack's hand shiver in hers....

Frank looked at the boy...then at Sue...

He nodded once - know'n what to do...

"Jack, my boy, glad you're here!

Can you take Trigger to the stables

an get him water an some food?"

Jack's face broke into a great big grin...

"Yes, Sir!... I sure can... fast as a top can spin!"

Frank handed Jack the reins.

"Go on, lad. Have you had somethin' to eat?"

But there was no answer...

Jack had blended into the night with speed.

Frank sat down beside his Sue...

"What's wrong darl'n?

What can I do?"

Sue covered her face

Through her hands she shared her fears.

"You're gonna be angry, an I don't blame you...

I lost the coin your mama gave you!

The one gift from her fore she got her angel wings...

An I think I might have lost it in Alice Springs!"

"Shush it, now! My love, you are too upset.

It's I who have caused this silly mess!

Close your eyes now, Sue,

I have somethin to confess!"

Sue felt his gentle hands surround her neck...

An wrap it with the softest leather.

She reached up to touch, and discovered braided doeskin...

An then she laughed when she felt the coin tucked in.

Round her neck, his fingers carefully braided the remain'n doeskin,

Till she couldn't tell where it ended

An where it began.

"Wink found me the doeskin...

I wanted it to be a surprise.

I'm so sorry, my dear, that I caused tears in your eyes.

Your eyes should always flash an sparkle"

Frank smiled as he kissed Sue's eyes...

"They really are quite remarkable!"

Alice Springs held the Moonlight,

As Frank an Sue listened to the starry night.

Softly, Sue said to Frank,

"I need to hear your story.

I've been have'n terrify'n remembrances

An I've been sleep'n poorly.

Ever since you killed that snake,

... said that awful name...

It feels like somethin dark is grow'n between us

An it feels like I'm to blame!

"My dearest, you aren't at fault

And to this mystery, I'll call a halt.

It's time you knew

About me... About you. "