A barred owl starts to have his say
from a lone ridge not far away
just as the shadows start to merge
and east sky fades from blue to gray
informing me it's time to go.

Go home now, my tired bones urge
before the dimmer stars emerge.
Time to leave these woods behind
ere daylight is completely purged
taking the quarter moon in tow.

I've found what I came here to find
a quieter more peaceful mind
in lands that pay me little heed
nor make allowance for mankind
yet tolerate me even so.

So having now fulfilled my need
to rid myself of stress and greed
which sylvan doctors do for free
I turn my feet and now proceed
toward truck beneath the moon's faint glow.

Roosted birds in a low tree
flush from their sleep because of me
then briefly flit through darkening sky
which leads me to walk more slowly
with steps as mincing as a doe.

I reach my old truck bye and bye
which cranks right up on the first try
to begin my journey in the dark.
Homeward now the tires fly
on changing pavements down below.

The world outside the cab is stark.
Homeward now! it seems to hark
revealed by high beams' piercing light
that shows a road as rough as bark
which in the darkness seems to flow.

I pass the fields bathed by moonlight.
I sweep past woodlands lost in night.
I crawl through towns where streetlights shine.
I drive as if pursued by fright.
I traverse the path all pilgrims know.

At last my tires lower their whine
and I see a too familiar pine,
woodlands I cherish far behind.
I've come back to this home of mine
where love awaits a weary mind.