Desert Road

Hands stuffed in coat pockets
Shoulders hunched in the cold
I walk along a lonely desert road

Sun shines yet does not warm
Breeze blowing cold chills my heart
I walk alone on a desert road

Eyes cast down
See only gravel and sand
Feet heavily
Shuffle slowly without plan
And I walk on a desert road

A car traveling slowly
From behind closer coming
Tires raising clouds of dust to the sky
And
I walk along a lonely desert road
I walk alone on a desert road
And I walk on a desert road

The car passes
Slowly stops
The driver steps out
But
I don't look up
As I walk on a desert road

Soon there are footsteps along side mine
I feel awkward because I have been crying
And we walk on a desert road

"I want to share with you, hon."
"No need for crying."
"You don't have to travel alone."
And
These words sooth an empty pain
along side a lonely desert road.

We walk together on a desert road
We talk side by side
No longer crying
No longer cold
We walk along on a quiet desert road

Hands clasped tightly together
Feet turn to the waiting car
Where
Warmth and cushion seats
mimic comfort
When our hearts have grasped much more

And we walked together on the desert road
no longer lonely
no longer alone
Now I know which way is home.

But first
I had to walk along a lonely desert road
To find myself and to grow

I needed to walk on that desert road
So I could later find my way home


Originally written: 22 November 1991
First Revision: 24 November 1991
Final revision: 14 July 2001