It's an ongoing struggle for me to keep things simple, but I succeeded with this one, for the most part. This version, especially the vocal, leaves much to be desired, but I must be moving on. #electricpiano

On a foggy December day in 2023, on a highway north of Chicago, we got the terrible news that my FIL had passed away unexpectedly. We were driving to visit them, still a day or more away. A few months later I wrote the first stanza to this song. Now I've finally #finishedit Looks like I've written another song about #death

Recently fascinated with ravens, I'm sad to continue their "bearer of bad news" stereotype (they're so smart, sociable and playful!), but that blasted Poe poem sure is handy.

When death meets you on the road Not to take you but to deal another blow Fog descends and the way can’t be seen Tell me, friend, what do you think it means? Mmmmm, what do you think it means?

raven takes, with its visceral vise ‘nevermore’ to your gutwrenching cries Flies away, like your wish has no weight Leaves you there, like a fish to your fate You’re a fish with no say in this fate

(hmmmmm)

In the river or on the edge With the current or gasping for breath When it ends, did something begin? And I’m losing - did somebody win? And I lost, tell me, did someone win?

(oooooooooh)