I Wandered Back

Of places round the planet's whole
The acres that I most extol
I shared with wise and curious eyes and
Stirred a grandson's soul

I wandered back to childhood
Where in the hills a house once stood
Against the dream of summer green and
Nestled in the wood

I knew it would not be the same
Through winter storm and April rain
But still I yearned to now return to
That from which I came

The cottage I could not forget
In memories drew me back, and yet
My heart was dared, though not prepared to
Weather my regret

The country road, the tree topped lane
The crooked gateway still remain
Just as were sketched and deeply etched on
Tablets of my brain

In truth the land I still exhalt
My wayward venture would not hault
If over paved and not unscathed by
Reckless human fault

As we approached the final bend
Along a stream where waters wend
I heard the word of summer bird that
Spoke to me again

His song evoked a swell of tears
For through the leaves a house appears
In green of wood, it humbly stood there
Through the course of years

And in the beauty of it all
The joys of spring, the crimson fall
Engraved in deep of dreamer's sleep were
Just as I recall

A babbling brook, the summer geese
The endless circles never cease
A child's face in nature's grace is
Blessed with inner peace


Elizabeth Santos