Mother as I write the sun dissolves Blood life streaming cross my hand And these words, these words Hope dashed immortal hope Hope streaking the canvas sky Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write We joined the long caravan Hungry dreaming going west Just for work just to get a job And we never got lucky We just forged on And the dust the endless dust Like a plague it covered everything Hal fell with the fever And mother I did what I could Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write We prayed we prayed for rain I never wanted to see the sun again All my dresses you made by hand We left behind on the road Hal died in my arms We buried him by the river Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write Blue poles infinitely winding, as I write, as I write