
Painting by Robert Cassilla
There is a road I long to take
that divides two meadows sap green;
it's warm horizon beckons me
on a honeysuckle summer breeze
A stream runs through it, clearly sings,
and at the end of that fine ride,
arms catch me and take me inside
From the time I was just a babe
Naivete led me through hills
and valleys I wearily trekked
At previous forks in the road
choices were made - thrust onto me;
kept me otherwise occupied,
a surreal grayness of existence
My new bed will be petal soft
gone the hard, leather saddlebags;
no more walking o'er hot embers
I'll stoke the fire with oil of life,
burning bridges at that shoreline
where pain leaves and weakness is gone
For warriors hearts to rest easy
there needs to be a place somewhere
that soothes the draining wounds at last,
where love is unconditional;
where people's smiles are authentic
where we are pampered in the light
There is a place I long to see
where children grow to know less fear,
sicknesses of the mind are cured
Where hearts unburdened ride upon
the wings of eagles flying high
Where doubting succumbs to reveal
munificent ways the world can heal