Strange journeys,
Of broken dreams, woodland paths,
And mountain streams.
Long long walks between destinations.
Motorways and country lanes,
Railway stations
Taxi ranks
Cities and towns,
Villages.
Silent journeys by bus or car
Long loquacious rides
In eighteen wheeler's luxurious cabs,
Travelling at the whim of this or that
Modern King of the Road,
Paying my toll by easing his boredom
And not drifting into waking sleep.
Stolen kisses
Exchanged for nights
In warm comforting beds,
A chance to shower clean,
Fond goodbyes,
Long, farewell hugs
Before starting off again.
On this journey of growth and learning.
Nearing and passing,
Approaching and leaving
Until the right time,
Until the petulant youth
Of the selfish ways
Awoke from his coma of growth,
His chrysalid of unthinking exploitation
Into a being ready to give as well as take.
When that day finally came,
After many long months,
Travelling to and fro,
When it was time
For those broken dreams
To finally end
I came back to you
To ask forgiveness,
To make a fresh start,
Appreciate things
Once taken for granted,
Hoping and praying
it wasn't too late
For the prodigal to return.
And your smile told me it wasn't.
And so I finally came home.
