It’s been many years since I’ve written this song, but for some reason I felt compelled to return to it and bring it into a visual medium. I remember so clearly writing this song. We were flying home from a funeral service in Cleveland for a step-nephew. Tucked in my window seat, watching the plane ascend through the cloud cover, the words poured out with the tears I hoped no one would see.

Peter was the son of my father-in-law’s second wife’s second son. (don’t think about that too hard; it makes my head hurt too). We had only met Peter at a few family events, but he impressed us with his intelligence and passion for whatever he was involved with at the time, be it music, art, his social acitiivism or volunteering at his neighborhood elementary school. He had a deep love for this planet and all of its living beings. I remember his impish smile and his genuine kindness, and of course his willingness to talk with us old folks!

But sometimes this life becomes too much to bear, and the pain eclipses the beauty. That’s where Peter was the day he stepped in front of a train in his hometown of Cleveland. My heart cracks open a bit more each time I think of his brief time on this earth.

It would be nearly a year before I was able to record the song with my good friends Holly Circle and Jimmy Steffen. They, along with Michelle Kinney and her beautiful cello, captured every emotion the words carry for me.

I was able to share the song with family and friends about a year later when a memorial garden was dedicated to Peter at the local Quaker school where he volunteered. One thing I clearly remember is my father-law telling me that I never sang so well. I laughed because it is not me singing the lead on this song, but my dear friend Holly. It still makes me chuckle. And I think it would make Peter smile to know that too.

Reach out to your loved ones. We never know how much suffering they may be shouldering in silence.

In memory of Peter Morgenstern-Clarren

 

SPRINGTIME IN OHIO

Springtime in Ohio in a city by the lake
Watching life unfolding ‘til he feels his heart will break
From all the beauty that life can behold
The morning light, the dew upon the rose

Springtime in Ohio, watch it grow

He tries to understand how any man can fight his fellow man
Why are children born without a hope to carry on
Tell me where is the just and loving being to guide us

Listen to the silence of a million swirling stars
Whispering the secret of a place so near, so far
Winter shrouds the springtime ‘neath her snow
Everything in time will surely grow

Springtime in Ohio, watch it grow
Springtime, in Peter’s Garden, watch it grow

©Crocus Hill Music 2023