TRAVELING SOUTH

The next few years will be
sporadic, standing on dry earth.
I collect rocks, hoping for
some meaning.

Down the road is a dusty path—
I’ll be on it with many others,
but probably with a different stride,
on a different search.
I hope I’m not alone the whole way.

One day, there will be a liberation, where the rising air
will give you a new perspective. But it will be
long after I am gone.

You stay here,
I am going ahead.

(September 11, 2008)