The Days of Sand and Shovels

When I noticed her the first time
I was outside runnin' barefoot in the rain
She lived in the house next door
Her nose was pressed against the window pane

When I looked at her she smiled
And showed a place where two teeth used to be
And I heard her ask her mom
If she could come outside and play with me

Soon the days of sand and shovels
Gave way to the mysteries of life
Then I noticed she was changin'
And I looked at her through different eyes

We became as one and knew
A love without beginning or an end
And every day I lived with her
Was like a new day dawning once again

And I've loved her since every doll was Shirley Temple
Soda pop was still a nickel
Jam was on her fingertips
Milk was circled on her lips

After many years our love grew silent
And at night I heard her cry
And when she left me in the fall
I knew that this would be our last goodbye

I was man enough to give her
Everything she needed for a while
But in searching for a perfect love I found
That I could not give her a child

Now she lives a quiet life
And is the mother of a little girl
Every time I pass her house
My thoughts go back into another world

Because I see her little girl
Her nose is pressed against the window pane
And she thinks I'm a lonely man
Who wants to come inside out of the rain

And I've loved her since every doll was Shirley Temple
Soda pop was still a nickel
Jam was on her fingertips
Milk was circled on her lips