westward back
to take my wagon –
twice as far I walked before
held in place by recollection
shadows rubbed
to rings I wore

married first
and then decided
where my love would lay me down
kept the best of wedding wishes
matching cups
and cotton gowns

smiles put back
with suitcase packing
set a course and drove away
once or twice
the rearview winking –
asking more
than room to stay

but never this –
the message failing
broken gate
and twilight tears
whiskey rings
to stain my table –
slept the night
beside my fears

where and when
the curtains moving
one more dance –
to save my own
as shadows of forever
shifting –
back the way I came
to home

. . .