On Walking Away

on walking away



(for Henry)


He walks the land


of the overhanging skyscraper


and the place


of the dying wheat.


His clothes are marked


with the dust of a thousand roads.


And his eyes are scarred


from the battle


that is fought only within.


While untended beard and forgotten hair


spill their threads


upon the pattern of his shoes


He reflects upon


the home that was not a home


and the past


where nothing was started


and nothing was gained.


As he treads one more step


and reaches for that other lost hand,


he settles at last upon a shore


where all may come to rest.


And he reflects upon the fact


that is far easier


to walk in the land of the stranger


than in the house of friends.


When home is one penny less


than the town next door.


Will Mayo

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