My Final Destination

This gravel road welcomes me
at the edge of reality where
I find freedom at last.

Uncut grass sways seductively,
rolling to and fro’
while bluebonnets
and Indian-paints
wave me in,

contented with
bowing in my sweet
Evening breeze
while shadows
foray the landscaped
planter my wife so
deftly tends.

Beleaguered sun
Succumbs to hues
of scarlet, amber, and orange
as it slowly sinks below
the mighty line of oaks
that line the edge of my world.

Silver light drapes
the weary roof ahead of me,
but cannot cast darkness
upon this door
that beckons me home again.

The porch light…
On again.
Sunlight given a
another chance as
my second wind
courts the widening
smile playing upon
this weathered face.

…Paused on my porch.
…Fumbling for keys.
…My wife deathly afraid
someone has stolen my skin.
“It’s only been 14 hours!
It can’t be him!”

I ponder the day’s events
as I push open the door.
The battles of the day waged
And for what?

My son rushes me
Wrapping my legs
In his eager arms
He peers up to his
Gentle giant
“Up. Up.”

I pick him up
Smell his hair
Kiss his cheek
And say, “I Love You.”

“Love you, too.”
He stays still
Only for a moment
As he studies
My weary eyes.

My wife behind him
Glowing in the amber
Light of scented candles
And love dancing upon
Chocolate drop eyes.

My eldest slips by
With a nod and a wave
While he contemplates
Teenage tragedies
At the end of the phone line.
He smiles quickly
Never missing a word.

“For what?” I ask again.
The answer is
right in front of me.
“For them.”

This home that beckons
my evening’s return is
simply my refuge that
shields me from the toil
which endeavors to rule me.

It draws me in
And shelters me
from these trials
of merciless conformity.

This is my home,
my final destination.

Copyright, Kevin V. Reese, 2004

Kevin, I think you are the richest man alive!